Don't overlook the GWS e-starter, if you have already been looking at the GWS planes - it has ailerons, costs only $35, and in my opinion, handles quite nicely. It is my first plane, and I am pretty happy with it.

While I can't comment on a balsa crash, I can say that foam is very easy to repair, even if the damage looks dramatic. Chunks of foam can be replaced with some careful cutting and carving, and even a split wing can be fixed with 5 minute epoxy - you can be flying again 20 minutes after making your repairs