There are lower cost copies of the 4 star, you can get a faster building arf with pinned hinges and engine mount already installed for $99 that flies equal to the 4 star, in fact the larger wingspan really makes floating it in for a landing a pleasure. It's the Dolphin.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXLGM8&P=ML

A World Models Sky Raider Mach ll is another $85 plane that handles well, again pinned hinges, engine mount installed, probably one of the quickest to build arfs out there, 4 hours.

http://ecsvr.com/abm/shopexd.asp?id=1958

I've flown the Avistar and removed the dihedral, and it had a much better roll rate and was an enjoyable flying plane without any added difficulty in landing or taking off.