Blackie, I agree that the Avistar will keep you from getting bored once you have your wings. You made out ok using the Avistar as a trainer. I have 2 students scheduled to train this summer using LT40s that have spent last year trying to train with their Avistar. They tell me that their plane was just too responsive for them to learn on. These aren't older guys either.
NFOSEC, This isn't a case of being afraid to train with a plane that can't power itself through a loop. My LT40 could continuosly loop from level flight at 1/2 throttle and hang onn the prop at 3/4 throttle. The main difference is that it would o it all in a slow relaxed manner compared with smaller faster planes.