Originally posted by wildnloose
Back to the point, I think you should buy a plane that you can barely fly now on normal rates, reduce the rates and learn to fly it (even if you have to go the buddy box route the first few flights). You end up needing fewer planes to grow....
I edited this post after re-reading it.
You should only fly a plane that you are READY for. In some cases, moving from a trainer to an advanced trainer may call for a buddy box, just to get you through the first few mistakes while you're getting used to the difference. But flying a plane that you can barely fly is never a good idea.