The X-52 Pro (what I use currently) is good to go as a "intermediate" HOTAS. Remember the pinkie switch in the pictures of it? That's a shift key, i.e. you could map twice the functions of the buttons on the HOTAS. If you are buying TIR 5, well, most, if not all of the HOTAS commands can be mapped with an X52 Pro. I also just got through transferring from a 3D Pro to the X-52 Pro, and the loose joystick is easy to get used to, not to mention it feels even better when it's that loose. With the pinkie switch below the trigger, I believe you could map around 50 functions in one mode (X52 has 3 different modes). I'm not so sure I can recommend you to buy it though, considering it's now manufactured by Madcatz. (you know how their products are :wallbash:) The throttle has a friction knob that should be able to change the friction of...well...I'm sure it's self-explanatory.
CH products are very good in build quality, and have usually had their designs never/barely changed over the years. The thing is exactly that, though. You're going to have to buy a separate throttle and rudder pedals (mind you it doesn't have a rudder twist on the stick). I'm pretty sure you can come up with how expensive that might be in the end.
Now, the X-55...I'm just gonna say this right now, the layout sucks. For someone with small hands like me, obviously it wasn't going to work out.
^ Pretty much says it here.