RE: Need opinions on "Best" starter Jet...
F86 - Wayne 22 is right about the Panther. If you want a scale jet, the Panther is easy to fly, and most importantly, an easy plane to land. It does not land real fast. I should know, I have about 25 flights on mine.
Having said all that, if scale is not critical to you, the Reaction 54 if you like to build, and the Baby Boomerang or Boomerang Elan if you don't like to build would be great choices for starting out in jets.
Bob