I agree with Dave. My first kit was a Great Planes PT-60. Even if you have no interest in flying a trainer, you could build one (any size) for the experience and give it (airframe only) to a new guy to make his entry to the hobby a little less expensive.

Then build something you do want to fly. SIG, Great Planes, and Bruce Tharpe kits all have very good manuals. Other probably do too, but these are the ones I've seen or downloaded.