i'm a firm believer that building kits at first is a good way to get to know what rc is all about, especially for kids. back when i got into rc there was no such thing as a ready to run hobby grade rc. we started with tamiya kits and learned as we went. it wasn't that hard and we had no internet. building kits helped me learn alot, alot more then just rc too. i have excellent mechanical skills because i built kits when i was a kid.

i still love building kits, i've never owned an rtr and don't ever plan on it.
everything that has interested me is available in kit form, i guess i'm lucky.

buying a used roller is different then a rtr IMHO.