My second airplane was a 4 Star 60.....first flight with the 4 Star and I knew it wasn't a basic trainer.....I just didn't know at that time what I didn't know.....sims are sims...they help you develope muscle memory and you can pratice manuvers, but they don't fly like the real thing....
The airplane you're looking at would require a gas engine....high torque servos, probably in the 180 oz/in range...5 or more with a standard servo on throttle...I wouldn't touch it unless I was running 2.4 or 72 with PCM....batteries 4.8 on ignition and 6 volt for the airplane nickle metal but you could do nicad....long servo extensions...you really are looking at 2,000 bucks.....
I really don't think you will find many seasoned (that's a nice way of saying old f**t) flyers, that would think this is a wise move..
bored with your trainer? can you fly it inverted all the way around the pattern? do you grease in your landings 90 percent of the time? can you do three loops and three rolls in a row without losing altitude?
it maybe time for a second airplane that ain't it..that's a 4th or 5th airplane...try a Tiger II or a 4Star60 or a Pulse XT
Don't mean to make you mad..just my opinion....Good flyin to ya