All radios would be useable when you upgrade to general.

That unit will cover most everything it appears. 5 Watts power though, could be limiting in some uses. (automotive use)

Not sure if you'd like to wear it around your neck to use it very much.

Not sure there is a decent way to mount it mobile in the car, but something can be figured out. Velcro

I'm a fan of having a Mobile Rig, and a Handheld. This ft817 kinda mixes the three units I believe, mobile, handheld and HF.

Personally (for me) I'd get a decent dual band (2m 70cm) mobile rig and then get an HF rig when the license upgrade happens. Yes, buying two radios, but could have better benefits from two radios than trying to pack everything into one unit.

Most mobile rigs today will cover your aircraft freqs and some others. Some of the handhelds will cover shortwave and aircraft. (most modern radios cover aircraft)

Not sure I've helped any.