Consider that in the early part of 2016, a 1979 Cessna 152 II had a typical retail price of $24,000, according to Aircraft Bluebook. At press time (January 2022) the same airplane is shown at $40,000, and there’s no sign of a downward price trend. Moreover, we’ll cared for 150s and 152s with good engines, new avionics and spiffed up paint sell for quite a bit more.
But inflation aside, pilots love the venerable two-place tricycle gear Cessna for the same reasons they always have. These are simple and reliable trainers that are easily supported at most every maintenance shop, plus they don’t cost a fortune to own. But these are old airplanes, so shop carefully, do a good prepurchase eval and be prepared to drop a premium on the good ones.