If you are UK based and need a large lump of hours, the cheapest way by far is to get a cheap permit aircraft, and fly the pants off it.
For example, you need 200 hrs...
Buy a Minimax or similar for £5k.. .Fly 200 hrs for ~£20/hr fuel + parts + servicing. .Sell it for £4k
Total cost: £5000, or £25/hr.
Not only that, but you'll probably have had far more fun than hiring a 152, and don't need to fit in with the needs of the rest of a syndicate.
Looking at the current Popular Flying classified ads, you could have...
Druine Turbulent with VW, £6,100. .MW7 with 532, £3,995. .Quickie Q200 with 0-200, £8,995
G
[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: Genghis the Engineer ]</p>