42 years old? How about getting a PPL and buying a plane at the age of 62? When I bought my first plane, I did everything the recommended way: used the AOPA resources, lots of advice, prebuy inspection with lots of squawks that brought the price down. And then I found myself putting money into the plane. When I was getting ready for the check ride, the hail destroyed it and all the other trainers at the field. So, for two weeks I searched day and night for a plane.
The second plane I bought was more expensive, but, for me, I realized that I could buy cheap and put money into the plane myself or pay more and buy a plane that someone else had already put the money into. But I just didn't have enough money for this plane. The owner and I went back and forth about the price until I finally realized I had one last thing to bargain with. I knew he had tried to step down to the 150 from a V-tail Bonanza and realized he had made a big mistake. He really wanted to sell this plane so he could buy something else. I offered to buy the 150 for all the money I had (leaving myself a reserve) plus no prebuy. He knew that this meant the next day he would have his money with no waiting, no having the plane tied up for the prebuy and the possibility that the buyer would back out. I did this based on the reputation of the owner and the plane at the field where the plane was based. It worked out for me.
Welcome to the club! There is a LOT of help here for new plane owners like us.
