Assume a C172 and that you'll get back your purchase price less engine depreciation when you sell it.
Also assume you do 100 hours a year (quite a lot if you're also in full-time employment with a family)
Hangarage, an annual and 2 x 50 hour checks, insurance and engine depreciation are the thick end of £9k, that's £90 per hour. fuel in a C172 is 30 lit an hour, that's £60.
That's £150 an hour. Most folk struggle to do 50 hours a year, that's £180 plus fuel or £240 per hour. As you say, if it flies, floats......
The Odd One