Well, this is from a newbie, I just started and have 2 flights under my belt. I purchase a Hobbico Superstar 40 and that planes handles great. Plenty fast for a beginner and I was doing loops and rolls from the start. I paid $259 for the RTF from Tower Hobbies. I also made sure I had a trainer to help me with take off's getting it trimmed and landings. I spent another $100 getting fuel, elec pump, fuel cap for fuel, elec starter, additional glow plug, extra rubber bands, plug wrench, prop, glow plug heater and power panel. I already had a box and battery so that was one less expense. My advise is no better than anyone elses and probably not as good, but I did get the advice from people on this site which leads me to believe I selected well. Good luck in your search for the right plane, so far I have enjoyed mine and I can hardly wait for the next good day so I can get out. O yeah, you can find that advice in my first thread I posted here. The bottom link is for the Hobbico superstar .40

My first post: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6649402/tm.htm

Hobbico SuperStar 40: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEKF4**&P=ML