I went to the AA-1A after learning to fly on the 150, and flying it while working for awhile on a commercial. I found the AA-1 faster, higher rate of climb, and much more responsive (especially roll rate).
Personally, I did not mind the steering via differential braking at all.
I then bought an Ercoupe. Faster than 150, about the same speed as Grumman. Wouldn't climb with the Grumman, though. Now, these were 150s, not 152s, which I understand were a few knots faster than 150.