I would have to agree... Here's my version.
After getting my ticket about 4 years ago I wanted to own, mainly for convenience. I was driving a $30k+ truck and downsized to a more affordable truck to free up some money for playing. I didn't think I could afford a certificated plane and started building an RV7A. After completing the empennage kit I realized I was spending more time building than flying, and couldn't afford to do both. I looked at a few 150/152s as well as Cherokee 140s, but didn't find what I wanted and could afford. I stopped looking online and at the mags and rented when I had to fly. On the way to meet a friend for dinner at his fly-in community I noticed a ragged out 150 and stopped and gave it a quick look. Before we left for dinner we went down to the community mail area to pick up his mail (conveniently this is where the 150 was located.) We went over and checked out the little bird and it had lots of new equipment, but had been sitting for a LONG time (and damage history I found later.) My friend asked if I really wanted to buy a little 150, and if so, his neighbor had one stored in the back of his hangar behind his other planes. We stopped to check it out and I was surpised to find this pretty little plane for the same price as the ragged one. I made an appointment to come back the next day and look a little closer. After spending a couple of hours looking at the logs, checking compression (hot & cold) and going for a test flight with his wife, I was hooked.
I wasn't looking, but tripped over this plane. After all was said and done, I now have a smaller truck and a very nice 150 instead of a large truck.
Keep your eyes open while you're renting, check the boards at each of the airports you stop at, and talk to your friends. You'll eventually find one you'll love.
