Not true that spins are prohibited. Spin recoveries are standard but need to be done properly. Read the POH.
The Cesspit 152 is an ideal trainer for those who like the game of "sardines", enjoy suffering back problems and don't feel a need to see the runway, or other traffic, in the circuit.. Studes who have flown the Cesspit and then go to the Tommy never go back to the Cessna.
For lots of info on the PA38, including links to articles dispelling some of the rubbish that is spread about them by people who have never flown them, go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/piperpa38tomahawkclub/
I've got about 3000 hours on PA38s and amazingly enough have never had a tail fall off in flight. Nor has anyone else.