"1960 CESSNA 150A, TT 3900+, new annual, needs paint & interior improvement, $11,000. KY"

Just one of many ad's in the Trade-a-Plane.....

Purchase a cheap plane, hire an instructor and save a ton of cash. My experience has been that most people with an interest in learning to fly want a new 172, Cirrus or Diamond. Not many really want to fly an old tired Piper Colt or C150. If they can't fly the newest equipment, then they chose not to fly at all. The expense of 80k is not a variable in the decision making process, only "can I get the loan?"

My son is truly happy to learn in our "old" family airplane. It's equipped to complete his ppl and instr. He has flown the Diamonds with me but doesn't "prefer" the glass,,, he's just happy to be airborne. Btw, he's 13. Another friend of ours is 15 and learning to fly his Dad's Pacer. Never heard him once say he wanted something newer.

In a few years, we'll most likely pick up a 310 or Apache. Do the tickets, build some time and sell the bird. Hopefully, I'll be able to launch my son with his tickets and zero debt.

Bottom line, in my opinion..
There will be many that will not fly if it's not modern glass,,, so be it, don't fly, do something else.