Hi m8,
Flying remote Helis is like take your first steps of trying to WALK.....Not Run. So IMHO you first of all its to try out small first just like your friends told you...The Raptor 30 its a good machine that its a good newbies machine and can go the full hog to 3D. After you purchase the machine for the radio gear get the cheap and very functional Sanwa or in US Airtronic RD6000. Please dont used the stock servos come with the package, they are a bit sucky, get the ballraced servos at least they last a but longer in the long run. For engine get their Thunder tiger ones or the OS. For gryo go for the CSM 540 this one support super servo, this mean digital servo. This gyro got Head lock which its good for beginners and easy to setup, BTW get ONE digital servo to put on the tail YOU NEED IT. Then for your training aid get a flight simulator like the tru flite 3D the latest version with USB cables. this well help you to practise and get the know the movements of the helis without spending your hard earn cash on repair costs ;-). For training aid for your raptor helis make your own hooler hoop training undercarriage, please please please don't used the training sticks that they sells at models shops with large plastic golf balls at the end becease they suck due to they dug in to the ground went you used it.. I know I use it when I practise hover when I was a Newbie. The hooler hoop dont dug and it help alot.
For the question on parts cost the raptor its cheap. Compare to Hirobo, Kyosho, Xcells etc. this go to the 60's size machine as well. I know I own Kyosho, Hirobo, Kalt , Robbe helis ..
Train with your raptor 30 for about a year or two then go for the raptor 60 ( CHEAP PARTS M8 Pros crash too)
The 60s machine its very stable on winding condition plus playing autos with them its great.

Yazuka,
There is nothing wrong with starting out on a 50, 60, or 90 for that matter. It's all about economics. If you can afford to purchase, fuel, AND maintain a 90 then by all means go ahead. But, what's more important is the radio equipment. Spend as much here as you can. Remember with good quality servos, gyro, and transmitter you can make ANY heli fly great. But, NOT the other way around.

I advise most beginners to think long term when it comes to RC helis. Buying a larger size heli is actually wiser because that is what most pilots evolve into anyhow. So, why take the depreciation hits on a 30 if you don't have to?

As far as .50s go I recommend the Century Falcon 50 SE V2 or the Raven 50 CCPM. My avatar is a shot of my Falcon SE V2. It is powered with an OS .50 SX-H and flies absolutely awesome. I have since converted it to a Raven 50 CCPM. Basically, the Raven is a CCPM version of the Falcon.

These two machines are equipped like a 60. They are built for the demands of 3D and come with TONS or upgrades IN THE KIT! You get:
4mm Flybar
10mm mainshaft
6mm spindle
Carbon Fiber torque tube drive
Triple bearing tail rotor grips
CNC Metal headblock
Low Profile Tuf Strut landing gear
600mm Hurricane fiberglass blades
....and more.

I have owned the Sceadu 50, and Raptor 50 and as far as smooth, stable, dependable flight these two machines have them beat!! And, they are made here in the USA.

Check them out at www.CenturyHeli.com

I started flying R/C with an xcell .60. After quite a few crashes and lots of money spent on parts I backed up by buying a Concept .30 and a trainer airplane. The trainer got me used to full forward flight. The concept got me to fly helis much cheaper. After building my confidence and skill level with the .30 size machine the xcell was then easy to transiton into. Did not have computer simulators back then though. I would say if you start with a simulator you could skip the .30 size machine. However there is nothing wrong with a .30. It will be a while before you need to worry about 3D manuvers but the Rappy is very capable of doing them. Today I still fly a .30 size as well as 2 xcells. I usually warm up on the .30 then fire up the xcells. As far as radios go I would recomend at least one with programable pitch rates. These make a big difference in your setting up, and set up makes all the difference in "flyabilty". You will want as much in your favor as possible when starting out. Do not let a few bucks stand in your way. The cost of one single, otherwise avoidable, crash could have gone a long way towards buying better equipment. Also seek out experianced help and advise for proper set up and tips.
Let us know how you do.
Grizz