Welcome to the Club Brian.
I purchased my first airplane (a Cherokee 140) early in my privet pilot training. I had a partner, we worked together and got along very well. My feeling is that if someone is serious about flying buying an airplane for their training is the way to go.
Cessna did a great job designing a great little trainer when they started building the 150. The 152 is the culmination of the evolution of the type. They are simply wonderful airplanes.
I wouldn't get too hung up on radios until I got into instrument train about knee deep. It takes a while to learn to keep the shiny side up but once you learn that the radio stuff comes pretty easily. Radios can be had fairly easily.
BTW I have long contended that if a pilot can handle a 150/152 in IMC with light to moderate chop he/she will make a good instrument pilot in about any airplane.
Good luck on your search for a plane. I suspect that there are few places in the county that you could not get some club member to go and survey a prospect for you.
