You're kidding, right? Okay, instead of the normal candy coated
responses, here's your slap on the back of the head.

Where the hell were you when I was thinking about sticking that fork in
the toaster?

That' their job. They need to unload a tired old piece of junk that's
already been amortized by their accountant long ago!

You're assuming a bit there.

10K? Do you want a junk yard engine or do you want an engine you'll
be comfortable on takeoff with? $10K MAY get you a field overhaul if

Junkyard.. wait, no. The second one.

everything else is in good shape. If the engine is original, it has
8000 hours on it. Don't let anyone bull**** you on this. How are the
cylinders? How is the crank and cam? What about the induction system
and mags? Starter and alternator? Don't fall for that 10K rebuild
crap. It's for cheapskates that don't give a rat's ass about their
own safety.

I don't think the engine is the original. I really doubt it. I do know
that they recently replaced the 235 on another 152 with a brand new
(remanufactured) Lycoming.

To a certain point. The plane is being used as a trainer and the
engine is being abused as part of normal training. And the engine is
only a third of the airplane. What about all the rest of the
twisting, yanking, pulling, banging and slamming on the airframe
itself?

Yeah, I worry about that. I worry about the landing gear especially.

They could very well be, but I'll bet you don't get into their
finances and don't see the real picture. Nobody except a private
owner will take care of a plane as well as a private owner. Besides,

Makes sense.

What you never see are the pop ups that occur when owning. All those
items that you'll authorized to be fixed when you're the main guy.
And, have you figured who you're going to use as a mechanic? As long
as you keep the present one on, you'll never be his number one
concern. If you can't do the work yourself, a simple tire change will
cost you over $400. An oil change can easily cost $250. Need a prop?
Fork over another $2K!

$250 for an oil change?! Now, that's something I can legally do myself-
why on earth would I pay that for it.

Paul, unless you have $35K to **** away, I'd start doing some
research. First and foremost is your mission. If it's Saturday
burgers for the next bunch of years, the 152 is okay. If it's flying

It pretty much is.

over to grandma's, you're SOL. What you need to do is start looking
at the big picture which includes, resale (you'll want to upgrade in
about a year, guaranteed!), replacement parts availability, AD's,
SB's, insurance costs, hangar, annual costs, equipment, accessories,
etc. As others have stated, when you get the engine taken care of,
you'll have an 8000 hour $35,000 152, and you haven't even mentioned
avionics which could cost you $5000 in a blink of an eye!

My thoughts:
1. Too many hours for any plane. When you're done with it, you'll
need to part it out to recoup any of your investment
2. A trainer all its life is a very, very bad thing.
3. Avionics?
4. You need to get this for $10K or have them supply an overhauled
engine for the $19K to even consider the deal.
5. Run, don't walk from this one.
6. Trade A Plane. See what the world is really like in this
"recovering" economy. $35K buys a whole lot of airplane, including
good 172's if you're a high wing guy. If you're a low winger, the
Cherokees may be more bang for your buck, and more in your price
desires. If you can't come up with the cash, finance. You'll be
doing it anyway, but on your credit card after the bills start coming
in.
7. If you're ready to buy, you'll walk away from dozens before you
find the one you want.
8. Unless you fly regularly (200 hours a year) you'll never
cost-justify the purchase vs. renting, so take that out of the
equation.

Your advice is being considered, sir. As to your last point- I'm a bit
curious about that as I normally see a lower number brandied about as
the break-even.