I'd second the vote for the Aerostar. I just built one a couple of months ago and will try to post a pic (if I can remember to take home my digital camera). When finished out, it looks just like a Cessna, not flashy mind you, but no less flashy than a cub. And it is VERY forgiving in the air. The two instructors I used to learn with kept raving over how much they liked it over the other trainers they've used.

Reason I'm partial to it:

1) you'll get kit building experience which will come in very handy for the warbird that will no doubt be in your future.

2) instructions are excellent and very easy to follow.

3) flies great.

4) I paired it with an evolution .46 trainer engine. Once I had the hang of things, removed the flywheel and changed the prop and WHAMMO, this puppy screams!

5) and like I said, its a good lookin' plane, for a trainer.

If you're dead set against the typical trainer plane, consider a Sig Four Star. They're low-wing tail draggers and many say they're easier to fly than most trainers.

Good luck in your quest,
Heath