RE: how far can i get?
This depened on your actual skill level. You mentioned your time on the sim and that you mastered the trainer but not what you can actually do without thinking about it. (IE, fling inverted for 10 minutes straight, use the rudder correctly, things like that)
In any case, any half decent Extra 330, 300, 260 is gonna be just fine. If you want to go to 27% on large glow, get the Great Planes Cap232, or the Great Planes Yak