If as you say the (F)ATPL is you goal you know who to call but if you want to fly an expensive under maintaned old dog and take the financal risk of unforseen costs get into this group.
Don't make assumptions like that
I know of this group and not only are they the best examples of C152s that ive ever seen (one of them has a Garmin 430, fuel flow, music input, new engine, etc) but being no equity, should there be any problems, then it is no expense to the group members at all.