The 152 is only really a two seater if
- the two of you aren't particularly heavy, and/or
- you don't want to load all that much fuel, and/or
This is true, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned the 150 Aerobat. 130hp donk (although no where as smooth as the Lycoming) and 40 degrees of flap. Plus with full fuel it will lift two 200 pound people legally, depending on the actual fit of that particular aircraft obviously. OK it has a few litres less usable but it's a damn good short field beast for a 150. My prefered 150/152 out of them all if you don't mind the RR vibration generator up front.