Carl I've been meaning to reply to your post, but the weather has been unusually nice this past week here in Michigan and I've been out flying. In Michigan, we need to take advantage of these rare stretches of nice weather while we can and I purchased a buy and fly plane for EXACTLY this reason.
Clearly, my post has upset you. Your comment, "Don't get me wrong! I'm not upset!" sorta let the cat out of the bag. Typically, people who are not upset do not end a statement like, "I'm not upset!" with an exclamation point.
Look, I was in no way trying to imply that there is only one way to buy a plane or even that there is a "best way" to buy a plane. Each of us have our own goals and motivations with regard to why we fly. Each of us buy/fly within the constraints of our own budget. I get that.
Pilot's purchase planes for various reasons. I have good friends who don't fly 20 hours a year, but derive immeasurable satisfaction from working/tinkering on their planes. Other friends, would rather not touch a tool and get their satisfaction from flying. Both approaches to aviation make perfect sense to me.
My point was simply this. One way or another, you are in fact going to spend (invest?) a lot of money on this passion that we refer to as "flying". Whether or not an aspiring plane owner wants to invest most of this money up front by purchasing a buy and fly plane, or go the other route and be a proud "bargain basement buyer"- to use your words- is really a personal decision.
I don't believe anyone said or implied, that planes with "low times, pretty paint, complete logs, NDH, leather interiors and new plane smells" fly any better or worse than "Bargain basement planes" (your words again).
But here's the thing, although many of us tinker with our planes, MOST of us are not A&Ps. I was simply trying to caution those aspiring to buy a plane that UNLESS you happen to be an A&P, be very cautious of the alleged "bargains" out there.
If as an A&P you are comfortable spending time 3000' above the earth in a "bargain basement" plane (your words again), my hats off to you.
