by all means go for the intensive course, but there is a lot to be said for doing the second half of the course, at least, in the UK to get to grips with the weather that you'll be flying in. Not so realistic to do all your nav-exes in sunny California then come home to the real world!
As for what machine to get - how rich is he? Are we talking piston or turbine here? Second hand or new? My vote would be take the time (and pay an expert) to find a good second hand jet-ranger.
Best of luck to your friend
OH