JP
The Chippy was my first group aeroplane, and other than the Yak 52, my only such. I converted onto it immediately after obtaining my PPL in 1979 and it really wasn't a problem.
If it hadn't been for a wise CFI who sourced the aeroplane for a bunch of us new PPLs to fly, I'm sure I'd have given up flying within a few months. Any more than that in spamcans and I'd have been far too bored to keep paying the money for flying.
The Chippy opened my eyes to aeroplanes could really be like - fun to fly!
As to maintenance etc, it's not a straightforward aeroplane. It's military and built to far higher standards than a civilian light plane - but it wasn't designed for easy maintenance. And some parts are getting rare and therefore expensive. Also, there are loads of ADs that have to have been done. But any well organised group will have all that sorted.
Once you've flown one nothing else will do.
SSD