phillw:

So, what if I just use the standard warranty till that runs out, then get the applecare extended warranty?

Or should I buy AppleCare right off the bat?

I am also an ACMT. You don't have to buy the Apple Care Protection Plan on the day you purchase, you have 12 months to choose if you want to purcahse it or not, so long as you purchase it within 1 year from the original date or purchase you will be fine, one day out and you can buy it but you won't be able to register it as you have purchased outside that 1 year time period.
My advice would be if you don't buy at the same time buy on month 11 if you still want it, makes the registration process much easier than when the year is almost up.
As a general rule portable computer will be pushed to the limits and more things could go wrong, lets say a logic board failed you would be looking at the cost of the computer almost, hence why a few hundred dollars spent now could save you a few thousand dollars later.