Hello!
Regarding X-Plane:
> khaosanroad: ... very few aricraft available ...
If you look at
http://www.x-plane.org you will be surprised, how many aircraft are available for x-plane! And most of them are for free, since x-plane has accumulated a very enthusiastic user community over the years.
Macintosh users like me have no other option than to use X-plane anyway...
Greetings, Max
NB: A medium-priced compromise between PC-based training at home and actual IFR-flying can be to use the flight simulator/FNPT of your local flying school at regular intervals. Many schools (including the one where I instruct) actively encourage this by offering special conditions for this type of training.