I think it just as much depends on what you are flying today. I found the step from a 40-size plane to a 90-size quite big. After one year of flying the 90-size, the step to a 2meter pattern plane was easy.

I went thru the same question. What to do for the next step. I don't have time to build a scratch plane, and have yet to learn a lot, so I might as well spent that time flying and practising, iso building. Also, I learn a lot flying, looking at other planes and reading for instance this forum. I could never have build a "good" 2meter pattern sofar, and I still have a lot to learn.

Post #9 (Keith) IMHO is right on the money. I bought at the end of the season here a 2meter pattern plane from one of the top-5 flyers in competition. He was also switching to electric, and needed money, so he sold his spare plane. His advice on setting up the plane was worth as much as the plane itself. The plane is hardly used (yet ), only needed a receiver, and I paid 750 €. This is MUCH cheaper then any ARF with all hardware, and a better plane I can build for the next 5 years!