A friend has two of them. Some are sport pilot and some are not, there are at least two different gross weights and once they are registered at the higher one you can't go back, though I have not been told why.
The fabric wing makes it lighter and I could find out how much if it is important. The engine choices vary but most have the C-85 which is almost as much power as an 0-200 since most of those are actually a bit less hp than we like to think. I have never seen one without electricity, I may have seen one accidentally towing an extension cord. Same guy, might have been a different plane. Rule of thumb here is put the cord away WITH the battery charger. I still tease him about that.
The spar AD is a concern but not a deal killer. Because it was re-skinned, that would most certainly have been looked into.
The no rudder pedal thing is a hold back for the uninitiated but it's really not a big deal. Remember the coupe has the best gear under it of any thing GA under 3000 lbs. It sort of self centers and landing cockeyed just doesn't matter much. Its of course smoother on grass than pavement. Turns are well coordinated in flight by the design. You can't slip it but you don't need to. It really is about as simple as driving a car. If you sent a novice up with no experience in anything else they would perish, but in a coupe they would have a much better chance of being okay. This is a comfort factor for the nervous passenger that wants to know what to do if you die right after takeoff. Yes, I really have had that question.
The canopy is great with the slide down windows, and in summer just leave your arm out like you would driving a convertible car. That is near ultralight for out in the open flying.
As to performance, the C-85 lightweight fabric covered plane I fly with sometimes may take a tiny bit more runway, but not a great deal. Climbs rates are about the same, his flys a wee bit faster than I can with my climb prop, and on command he can sink with the best of the Cherokees. All around a surprisingly fun machine.
I think the coupe is one of the most under valued and under appreciated of all the GA planes out there. I think they are way more fun than a cub, which is ridiculously over valued, though a nice plane. They are also pretty cheap to keep and insure. This last part has been both a blessing and a curse as there are some under funded buyers with dreams bigger than wallets who tend to buy something like this (or a 150) but not have enough time, money or desire left to properly care for it.
I'm not planning to trade my 150, probably ever, unless a 150hp Citabria whispers in my ear long enough to tempt me. But I really like the coupe and would be happy to own one myself.
