If a better course can save you even one extra flight in the rental plane from the FBO and CFI fee, it may be worth it.
Most of real money saving will come, not in a few $$$ on the books or cd roms, but by being prepared in advance for each flight lesson. Pre study, rehearse it in your mind, de brief at the end; take some extra time to sit at the airport and watch others land, etc. and MOST of all fly often, at least twice a week and you can learn in perhaps 40 or 45 hours. Some people do lessons once a month and wonder why it takes them 60 hours for a private.
good luck.