You'd be surprised how much that extra dimension changes things. I, too, had plenty of RC car experience before learning to fly. Was still a steep learning curve!
A small beginners plane can be totally transformed by fitting a bigger motor and speedo for around £30. My brother's got a 3 channel Multiplex Cub, fitted with a 200w motor and 3s LiPos. It'll go vertical, no problem.
You could even get a 3ch plane (throttle, rudder, elevator) and convert it to 4ch (adding ailerons) when you get bored. The Multiplex Minimag can be flown as 3ch or 4ch. With a 150 watt motor, it'll be capable of flying most aerobatic moves, even some 3D moves.
I'd still recommend a Kyosho Minium Cessna for learning solo. When you've mastered it, sell it on eBay. Removing the fear of crashing makes learning a lot easier.