RE: Is brushless Really worth it?!
If you like slow flyers, the brushed motor systems can be OK, but if you want something more aerobatic or want some vertical performance, brushless is the only way to go.
Almost every plane I've flown with a brushed motor could barely keep itself in the air. The HobbyZone Aerobird and Super Cub planes are an exception, they seem to fly pretty well with brushed power systems, but they aren't very aerobatic either. A properly chosen brushless/LiPo power system will fly any plane VERY well.
Almost every review of brushed powered ARFs and RTFs that I've read goes like this: (1) Author assembles & flies the plane with the stock brushed power system, it barely flies; (2) the author upgrades it to a brushless power system, it flies great.