well, I second the Arii 1/100 VF-1 fighter mode kit, you should be able to get them for under $10. And the hasegawa one's are better, more detail and just cost alittle bit more, around $15-$20
I did a Arii1/100 way back in the days and it looks pretty good if you add alittle paint to them.,, no pudding needed. Just us FLAT paint, then do the decals, then get a ultra fine point gray/black permenet pen at office max and start detailing the panel line. Then just spay a layer or 2 of dult clear coat. My color was a simiple GRAY cannon foddler.
But you can do the same with the Hasegawa, it would be better too since it has more details. Using flat paint with brush is way easier than the gloss ones.