I vote for the TIR too.
The added situational awareness is just something you cannot do without anymore when you are used to it.
Padlocking is something of the past.
And if you do use stick twist for rudder input then get rid of that right away.
Your wrist isn't physically built to grab the stick, move it sideways for control while also twisting it for rudder inputs. Besides, the sensors in the twist part of almost every stick are rubbish, also true in the X52. Another downside is that you over-control the rudder input with a twist stick because the travel of the twisting movement is very limited.
You are much better off using keyboard commands for nosewheel steering for now until you get proper pedals.
In-flight, in the A-10 we hardly ever use rudder input, save for some advanced maneuvers you can probably do without just fine.
So in summary;
Get the TIR first.
The X52 is a decent hotas, so no need to change it if you rather not spend too much cash, but do disable the twist.
Get pedals after you saved some more money and are still serious about them.