I just got into the AR game myself. I was looking at building one, but I have too many projects going now, along with a newborn for the wife to give me the ok. I managed to get my hands on a Mossberg MMR hunter in 223. Paid like 725 after it was all said and done. Got a 3x9x40 on it for it along with 600 rounds of ammo for under 1000. Haven't had the chance to take it out yet, but so far I am super pleased with it.
Not to be a jerk... but if you haven't taken it out yet, what are you pleased with?
The way it looks and feels as well as the price. Yes I haven't fired it yet, but it's an AR. It's the eleventy billionth variant of a platform that been around for 55 years. Like the 1911, the AR is at a point where the gun largely remains unchanged, because it works. Innovation at this point, is largely cosmetic.