"Should have stayed out of the hobby store!" I can relate, I should have signed off line, now I'm $400 deep and still digging!

I wanted to chime in on the RTF vs ARF. I just got an ARF Nexstar, and went with the ARF due to advice from this site, because "I would learn the workings of the plane better, especially in case of needed repairs." So I am assembling my Nexstar, and very happy that I have the opportunity to see how everything goes together. The ARF is a (small) step closer to building from a kit, which eventually I'd like to do.

Also, I chose different radio and motor than what comes with the RTF; I don't have spread-spectrum, but I do have 6 channels with computer programmability, which will go a long way.