If you keep the search closer to home, it makes things a lot easier.
YES!
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If you find one out of state, see if you can get a club member to go "prelook" at the airplane for you.
All you have to do is ask or put the word out.
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Pictures are nice, but seeing it in person makes all the difference.
So true.
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It has been said before, and I agree 100%, have a disinterested third party do an annual in lieu of a prebuy.
YES!!!
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When I bought my plane, I had a disinterested AP do a prebuy, and he still missed things. Like it had the wrong prop on it!
Another thing - you'll NEVER find eveything thet may be wrong, slightly amiss, or questionable. It takes a while to sift through everything. Trust us - no plane is perfect.
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You mentioned $30,000. I believe that if you buy the best plane you can up front, it will save you a bunch of money in the future.
YES!!!
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Sure, new paint and interior can cover a lot of warts, so don't fall in love with a pretty outside.
Yup.
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Be patient, and look for the best value.
Yes Grasshopper! Patience IS a virtue in airplane hunting.
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If you find a local plane, I'd be happy to try and go with you to look at it.
Just put the word out and ask.
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And remember, it's a lot easier to buy a plane, than it is to sell one, so take your time and enjoy the search.
As Mike Arman says - He who has the cash controls the sale. So, buy Mike Arman's book - available in the Club's store. It's the BEST investment (actually, second best investmwent next to joining this Club) you can make concerning buying a 150-152.
Good luck to ya, Chris! Here's hopin' ya find the best dang airplane foir sale out there that fits ya like a glove.
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The cost to operate is going to vary widely depending on the airplane you find. You might not know all the costs going in.
When we bought Juliet we went looking for a solid airframe, flown regularly. We had an independent mechanic do a prebuy, and he found several small items, but proclaimed the airplane solid. We fixed a lot of the small items on the first annual.
I looked at the spreadsheet elsewhere in this thread, and my reaction is that when going in, it is not a bad idea to be conservative on the high side.
Juliet has not cost us quite that much. We have done two annuals, the first was $1,300+ and fixed some niggles. The second was owner assisted and cost $446, and fixed some niggles (really minor ones).
We had some carb work done in last few months ($120), and change the oil every 25 hours ourselves. We also had to have the radio overhauled ($264).
Insurance is just under $600 per year. Hangar rent is $175
Of course, now we are facing either an overhaul, or selling the airplane and buying something else. Someone else on the thread pointed out it is easier to buy a plane than sell one ... yep! BTW, our plane is for sale, but does not meet your requirements. Besides, with all the 150/152's out there, you should be able to find a suitable airplane fairly local (Washington State is NOT fairly local to Florida!).
The primary reason for owning an airplane is NOT financial. The three primary reasons (in my humble opinion) for owning (not necessarily in order) are: pride of ownership; convenience; and having access to an airplane that meets your mission requirements.
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