I also learned on an Avistar. The real advantage of this plane is that you can still have a lot more fun with it than most trainers after you have learned. I also still fly mine. It is a tad harder to start on but if you are on a buddy box (the best way to learn) it is not an issue. I went from the Avistar to a Super Sportster and didn't have an issue with the speed of the much faster plane. I think the Avistar really prepared me better for the transition to faster low wing.

The ONLY issue I had with mine is the tail is weak right in front of the stabs. I had to strengthen the balsa there after a hard landing.