I used to be similarly weary of jumping into Vacuform kits - don't be.
They way I cured myself was by buying a $2.00 Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter kit and
just going at it. Keeping in mind that you have to think about what extra
parts to add (Engine, guns, wheels, struts or strutz) vacuforms are no harder
than doing an early vintage pegasus kit. Once you have the parts cut off the
cardstock (which is the only unique part about doing a vac) it's the same as
an injection kit more or less.
Most vacs have pinmarks from the female molds that have to be sanded off, but
if the model is a good one these are strageticly placed so you don't have to
sand off a rib or something. In trade for this most vacs have very few or
no sinkholes. You still need to use putty here and there though. I find filling
areas of the fuselage that are thin gives me more gluing area.
When I had my $2.00 Strutter finished it looked just as good as my $15.00
Pegasus injection one.
My suggestion: Pick up the next cheap vac kit you like and go for it. If
you find it's too much or not what you like you're not out any real money.
I bet you'll find it's not that bad.
-Al