I had a Taurus and an Arrow. They were fun. The new Synergy 90 you mentioned can outfly any of these old designs hands down and can do a lot more, but the old pattern designs make wonderful sport airplanes for those who like to fly the ancient programs or get into pattern at the sportsman/intermediate level.

Quite surprisingly, the Synergy is quite competative right into the P-05 sequences flown at regional levels, it just does not present as well as the 2 meter Synergy which is an absolutley outrageous, bordering on perfect, airplane.

As far as cost goes, I remember about 23 years ago, those old patternships were extremely expensive compared to "other" airplanes. Cost is a very relative thing. My Arrow, set up to the max, was about five times the cost of my sport airplanes at the time.

Frankly, I would not go back for nostalgia any more, but they are still available for those who like them.