Use the Pro .28 as a paperweight for your manual. Its what I started with as well and it ended up making me pull out half my hair. If you are just going to be using this for bashing and not much racing which I believe you said earlier dont worry about buying the latest and greatest cuz you're going to kill it anyhow. I HIGHLY recommend this...
http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_...-Standard-Plug
Its very reasonably priced and will haul balls....many people are discovering this hidden jewel and compare it easily to higher prices mills. Its super easy to tune and has a very solid amount of power...get a good pipe like a JP3 which will help you on the low end. Honestly man..unless you are made of money it is a very fast, reliable engine for half the price of some of the ones you are mentioning. Save your money for all those extra parts you are going to have to buy from bashing.