“The planes cost then what an SUV costs now so it seemed within reach, then. Not now.”
You can still get a plane for less than an SUV if you shop around and know what you are looking for. Not a new plane. New planes have more fancy avionics than they use to and they got more expensive. Used planes are still reasonable.
This was an LSA, new, the only LSA I’d have considered at the time. Very stable high wing, very conventional looking, very easy to fly, Rotax, very good avionics. No night flying, though, not at the time although I believe they’re set up and approved for it now.