Tim,
I fly out of Denver Centennial; the 100 hp 150s are generally parked during warm weather. If they operate in warm weather they never try to launch at more than 90% of gross weight. I sold my IFR-equipped 150 before moving to Colorado from Michigan and would not consider a straight 150 or 152 here. There are too many days that you either can't use the airplane or it would be very uncomfortable.
Suggestions on your purchase from being around the market for a while - do not buy anything without a prebuy inspection by a mechanic you select. Make CERTAIN that all the paperwork on any mods as well as the installed propeller is in order and everything is correct. I've seen too many guys buy something with an unauthorized prop on it or an STC performed but no paperwork and then, at the first annual, they find out the mechanic can't sign it off. There are lots of wonderful mods for the 150/152, but if the paperwork isn't exactly right on one you are considering, it's a deal killer.
The conventional gear conversions of the 150/152 are popular and well worth considering. However, fly before you buy as the conversion may not have been well done and the airplane may not track straight; which can be expensive and/or frustrating to fix. While the 150 is pretty much without vice on the ground as a nosewheel airplane, with conventional gear it can be a handful; as a comparison, it is not as easy to handle on the ground as a Citabria or Cessna 140, to me it's on a par with the Cessna 180/185 - in my opinion. (I don't know why they are not as gentle on the ground as the Cessna 140, it's always puzzled me.) You may hear others chime in here on that issue.
Welcome to the club. Hope you enjoy it here, there are some very, very good people and a tremendous amount of knowledge about the 150/152 series.
Best regards,
Rick
