Agree, Pace.
Which is why, I think we - as a "microlight" school seem to be doing OK.
Our aircraft are expensive - £60k+ each new - but are at least modern looking.
Our students often then go and buy their own aircraft, or a share in one, and there are many very smart microlight and Light Aircraft Association types which you would be proud to own and take your pals up for a flight in.
Nothing wrong with "old" aircraft. Nothing wrong with classic ones.
But sometimes a cosmetically poor "old" machine just looks pants, wheras a scruffy classic looks "antique"!