I just bought a 2002 Alarus two weeks ago to lease back to my local
flight school, it has an amazing avionics package (garmin 430, garmin
audio panel, garmin digital transponder, and would you believe a
SANDEL EHSI??), it only has 800 TTSN and I think I got a great deal.
I had never flown one before, I took it around the patch with the
dealer a few times, and then flew it home to KRDG from KFXE. That
trip was about 11 hours, groundspeeds varied from 72 knots to 118
knots during the trip. From a training standpoint it is a fantastic
machine, utilitarian in design but well mannered in flight.
From a mechanical standpoint you cant get much simpler. The engine is
the tried and proven Lycoming O235, good for 2400 hours TBO. It
delivers an honest 5.5 - 6.0 gallons per hour fuel burn.
So far it is being well received at the flight school, it is now the
newest, best equipped, and least expensive airplane on the flight line
at $89.00 per hour. The cockpit is wider than the C172's that the
students have been training in. If you can get past its frumpy look
you will find a comfortable and honest airplane. I think it is a
perfect trainer and sport tourer.

Richard