Welcome to general aviation!

I would advise you to start in the most basic (and cheapest) airplane. Generally this is the C-152. This will save you plenty of m. oney that you can use elsewhere.

You can do your instrument in a C-152, but it maybe a little too slow for some of the busier areas. Also, in my experience, most C-152s were not equipped for IFR. Much easier to find a C-172 or Cherokee (Warrior, Archer) equipped for IFR.

When you get to your commercial try getting your multi-engine at the same time. You can do all the commercial maneuvers in a C-152 and show competency (to commercial standards) in the twin. Saves you money by bypassing having to rent a complex single (if you're going toto get your multi anyway).

Back in '85 I could rent a C-150 for $23.50/hour. What are they going for now?

GP