If you feel like you'll tinker with adding/changing things, you are probably better off buying something piece by piece, else you'll end up with a box of parts you've pulled off because you've changed (like me).
If you know what you want it to "look" like (Magpul furniture), but want a solid rifle, something like this is an easy way in & have less "spare parts in a box" syndrome:
https://gun.deals/product/aero-precisio ... ifle-55900
Then just buy the stuff you want to add to it. It's easy advice to give, but it's one of those things that won't sink in until much later.
For example, this was my 1st rifle and I've changed a lot of the exterior:
Changed the optic/charging handle/added anti rotation pins:
Changed the optic AGAIN & all of the furniture (on top) & I've added an 11.5" Palmetto upper to a "Poverty Pony" (Anderson Manufacturing) lower for this pistol:
