Congratulations - regarding flying VH and LSA. I owned a C172 for 15 years and operational costs over that time steadly increased finally making private ownership questionable with a fuel burn of 34l/h @ $2:50 / l, 100hrly / annuals around $5000 / pa , CIDS program forced upon owners I decided to look into RAAUS and LSA aircraft. Sold the Cessna, did the 5 hr conversion to RAA and purchased a piper sport..
Cruse 110Kts TAS, Approach 70 Kts Threshold 55Kts, Flap extension 75 Kts - very simular to the cessna. Operational costs minimal. Fuel burn 20l/hr Mogas, maintenance less than half that of the cessna if i get an L2 to do it otherwise cheaper if i do it myself (where safe to do so). What i have found with the LSA class is you pick your days. performance is similar but being so lite you feel the flight, this i actually like but a hot windy day can be testing. I keep my PPL current for if i need controlled airspace or more than 2 seats but RAA has won me over. My suggestion, if you are not going to go commercial and try for the big ones do the 5 hours and see, Hire rate at our club is around $120 / hr wet for tecnam aircraft.