Coaching question for experienced Ironmen

I need some advice from all you experienced "Ironmen"...

Last season was my 6th year of tris, and the first time I opted for coaching. I had no idea how much of a difference it was going to make ...it made an enormous difference in my performance and mental attitude. He's the tri coach at a local college, did all my programs based on my individual need and very hectic schedule, and he was very accesible (and he only charged $75/month!). I learned alot from him, and became very reliant on having him!

Of course, it was too good to be true, and he is no longer available to coach me. I'm 6.5 months away from my first Ironman and not sure what to do. My goal is to get to the start line, and perform well. I'm competitive, but recognize that short of a miracle, I'm not going to be a Kona qualifier. I've narrowed it down to these options:

1) Become a gold member here, use that training plan and do it with the support on BT and the help of the Tri Bible.

2) Hire an equivalent coach for at least twice the price (I am getting married 2 weeks before IMC, so money is even more a concern than usual!) and stress about the potential unnecessary spending of money.

I guess my main questions are: do alot of people do IM without a coach?  For those of you that have had coaching, would you consider doing it without? Do you think it made a significant difference?

Part of me feels like doing HIMs with a coach I gained enough knowledge that  I'd be fine doing IM with a standard program. And then on the other hand, what if I have absolutely no idea how challenging its going to be and am foolish for considering doing it sans-coach?

Any thoughts?