+1 on the 152 as a trainer. When I was learning back in the mid 60's I weighed about 180 and my instructor about 200. Tell you what, on a hot day I sometimes wasn't sure if that airplane was going to get off the ground.
One of the reasons it is a good trainer is that you are really a part of the aircraft. You feel everything and everything you do provides an instant reaction. I had friends who learned on a P-140 and I felt I was a much safer pilot because the 140 was just so easy to fly.
When I got my ticket they gave me a free check ride in a 172. When it jumped off the runway instead of dragging, I was hooked.