Great goals for this year- hopefully you fall in love with the sport and want to keep at it (warning: it's truly addictive).

About the wetsuit, I think it's such a personal opinion on what type to wear. I have a QR long john and I've worn it for everything from a sprint to an IM. I swim in it May through late September. Even tho most full suits have great flexibility through the shoulders, I just prefer the sleveless (plus, I overheat easily and I need the sleeveless to keep my body temp down).
As for race length, a full suit is overkill IMO for a sprint (just takes too long to get out of for the length of the race), or for most races in the summer unless you live very far north and the water is cold year round. Just depends on how comfortable you are in the water, how much buoyancy you need/want, and how quickly you can strip that puppy off when coming into T1.

Ok- so I didn't really give you an answer. What would I do? At half off, it's an incredible deal!!!! If you think the cost/use factors will even out, go for it. QR's are great suits and very well made. If you think you'll get lots of use out of it, buy it. A well-taken care of suit can last for many, many years.