I'm about to come into some money soon ($100 to be exact), and am considering using some of it to buy my very first payware plane. Naturally, I'm very excited. Only problem is, I'd prefer to buy only one plane for now (and save the rest of the cash), but I can't decide which one.

I've examined a few payware planes, and have narrowed it down to these: AlphaSim's B2 Spirit, the RealAir Spitfire, AlphaSim's F-117, MAAM Sim's DC-3, and the RealAir SIAI Marchetti SF260. Carenado's planes also caught my attention. I did think about CaptSim's C-130, but the price is a bit steep, and it'd probably demolish my frames.

I gotta wonder what you all recommend. This is the first time I buy a plane, and it wasn't easy earning this dough, so I want to know I'm getting my money's worth.

Also feel free to recommend any really good products that aren't on my list (preferably under $40, though). I should mention that my machine isn't the best one out there, so do let me know if such planes would have any significant effect on my framerates.

Thanks in advance.

I'd say RealAir too, not with CAPS LOCK though..

The RealAir Marchetti would be an excellent choice. I'd also highly recommend the FSD International Cessna O2A. It's the military version of the Skymaster. Has two engines, one pulling, one pushing. Great sound and tons of fun to fly.

If you want an old warbird, definitely the Realair Spitfire.
If you want a 2 seater, then the Marchetti also by real air.

I have several Alphasim products and I like them. They are good inexpensive payware. Maybe not to the standards of some of the elite payware -Realair, PMDG, Level D, Carenado, but they are good value for the money.

Well, after much thought, screenshot viewing, and review-reading, I have decided to get the RealAir Spit. Judging from people's posts about it, I think I made a good choice. Now, to begin the gruelling wait for my paycheque so that I can finally grab this sucker! I'd like to thank those who gave me their recommendations, it helped a lot in making my choice.

This will be my first payware, but by no means my last. This is my first step to having a glorious collection of quality paywares. Once I get the Spit, I think the SF260, B2, F-117, and DC-3 will be next on the list!

Stick with RealAir products for now...they are the best

I would have recommended the Flight 1 Meridian.  It may be growing a little old now but it is still a top shelf model.  Handles great, has all those cool realityxp toys thrown in, and is fairly easy on the frame rates.  I use it for all my personal flights of 1200 nm or less.  A very excellent travel companion.

I've recently become acquainted with Eaglesoft. I first bought their Cessna Citation X, the flagship of their corporate jets. A beautiful model inside and out. The glass cockpit is impressive. A really nice plane for longer trips with a good GPS display.

Then I bought their Cirrus SR22. Wooaahh! Quite possibly the finest payware plane I've bought yet. The greatest  feature of this airplane is the GLASS COCKPIT.  The selection of screens for the Primary Display and Multi Funtion Display can bring up anything you want to know in incredibly detail.

The Cirrus flies like a dream. If you like single engine GA planes, this one gets my highest recommendation.

And ... it's got a parachute!