MOOSP
I've been operating a new Super Decathlon for the past 2 years now and have to say that I too considered all the options before buying. An honest appraisel is that we do approx 250hrs per year with hardly any down time. The c/s unit is a godsend and the view from the back not really that bad ! The aircraft is extremely robust,(+6/-5), a pussycat for tailwheel conversions and extremely capable. We routinely teach erect, high rotational and inverted spins, vertical rolls and inverted steep turns.(as well as all the basic stuff!!) The roll rate is about 120' per second and the ROC at Max towt 1300ft per min. It also cruises at 125 - 135 kts. As for the high wing, what's the problem ? Its a low wing when inverted !!
But rather than take my word for it ask Patty Wagstaff, Kirby Chambliss or Walter Extra what they think. You might have heard of them.
Have fun in choosing.