What what I have seen about RC heicopters is you can always upgrade them.
The SE has the best upgrades on it and at a price you would not be able to build yourself.
Bob
PS
check out our T-Rex Page located at
http://www.globalrcland.com/the_trex_page.html
We have the T-rex starting from $199 and the T-Rex 450XL CCPM ARF for only $225 and the SE with ESC and brushless motor for $429.