RE: Kit or ARF ?
I'm totally with RAPPY on this one!
Remember, All kits become Helicopters that you can fix yourself...................sooner or later an ARF will return to kit form and it will end up on the glass counter top at your LHS who will happily repair it for far more $$$$$$$$ than what you originally saved with the cheaper ARF you purchased.
Kit builders rock!
I build...........therefore, I am!