I just bought my A150K last August. I got back into flying after about a 15 year absence. This is my first airplane and it has been a learning experience so far, but not that bad (mostly positive!). A few items came up during the annual in Dec. that I wasn't expecting such as having to replace the spinner bulkhead (the plastic and metal part).
Best advice I can give you so far is to find a good mechanic that can do a pre-buy inspection and let you work with him so you can learn more about the airplane.
Best part about owning my own airplane is that I can fly it when ever my schedule and weather allow me to. No waiting for a rental airplane to get out of maintenance, etc.
I think a 150 is a good plane to learn airplane ownership on too, since the parts are not as expensive as a larger airplane.
Where in SC are you located? I'm in Camden, SC KCDN.
Located in Greenville, KGMU. I'm also interested in owning so that I can fly on my schedule. That, and I know I will fly much more if I'm not paying by the hour. I try not to get too affected by Hobbsitis, but then again I dropped $500 on 2.5 hours of instruction in an Archer last weekend.
For that money, I'd rather invest more and own the plane. More flying and (hopefully) more happiness in the long run.
