I have already taken the step of switching from Group A to micros and I don't look back at all.
In 1987 I obtained my CAA grp. A licence and occasionally rented PA28's from Blackpool but only sufficient to stay current. Long hauls were out of the question because of rental costs and my flying interest began to wane with the lack of advancement in experience.
Eventually my license lapsed and I didn't renew until three years ago when I had a trial flight in a Thruster microlight - a real grass roots level, raw flying experience, if ever there was such a thing in the 21st Century!!
I revalidated my license and now own a third share in a CFM Shadow. The aircraft lives in a trailer and the main fixed expense is insurance (£1,000 ish pa). Fuel costs run to about £10 per hour and the permit costs are negligable if you are a careful pilot. It is an easy aircraft to fly, but not as easy to fly well. Landings require much more attention than Group A aircraft due to the lighter weight and lack of inertia and is the reason that most micro airfields have such tight circuits (a very good thing in my mind!)
The camaredrie at a typical micro club (field) is worlds apart from from what you sometimes come across at traditional flying clubs and schools as the clubs consist of working guys (and girls) that just want to fly. Our Shadow gives us fun flying in the local area and a reasonable cross country duration (three hours at 70knots). The newer high performance microlights are a different breed altogether and factory built aircraft can now be bought for arounf £45K (CT & Eurostar) - but in all honesty these are light aircraft in all but name - yes you have weight & balance considerations and have to trade fuel for passengers - but both aircraft mentioned are designed for heavier loads, its only current legislation (paperwork) that limits its legal capability.
So to the paradox of the title of this thread 'v' as in versus.
I learned to fly in a 1960 slab wing Cherokee that was older than me, Todays factory built microlights out-perform this aircraft in almost every way and are a modern alternative to the ageing Spam Can fleet. It seems inevitable to me that modern microlights will soon become primary training platforms for ab initio pilots - its just a matter of time.
Not for me though a modern, high performance microlight - I turned to microlighting for affordable, fun flying - I don't want to pay £30K+ for my aircraft, I don't want extortianate hangarage and I don't want inflated insurance - for me the exhiliration of flying for ten pounds an hour and throwing my aircraft around the sky in absolute safety is what it is all about. Tomorrow I'm going to 'Sleap' via Welshpool - maybe four hours which will bring this years flying hours to about 60 - and I don't need an overdraft., I don't need Mode S, I don't need a runway and I only use my radio if I have to.
MIcrolights are good for me.
Tony
G-MYIP
PS - The PFA route is just as cheap as microlight flying if you must stay Group A - it's all about changing your 'attitude'