RD,

One thing you did not tell us is what you plan to do AFTER 2 years and 500
hours.

If you do not plan to trade up, then do not buy new. Bonus depreciation is a
great deal, but if it gets recaptured, it ain't so great. Trading up can
avoid recapture.

If you do plan to trade up, maybe you should rent a little longer, until you
feel you are ready for your "target plane"

A172 vs. an arrow is not the same, did you mean archer?

Are you really just building hours, or trying to get somewhere? If you are
trying to get somewhere, you will be flying in IMC. You will want something
safe and efficient.

An Arrow may keep you happy for 500 hours, a 172 maybe not. If you are
seriously traveling, I would get something nicer,likely something faster.
Definitely more fuel efficient.

Definitely get up to date avionics, and an AP. With that much time in the
plane, the workload savings is definitely worth the bucks.

The only glass cockpit I like is the Garmin, due to its ability to reset.
If these things live up to the press, Garmin will greatly increase its
market share. If you are not set in your scanhabits, you might want to get
a glass cockpit.

If you really are going to put 500 hours on and then sell, I would lean away
from brand new. That kind of hours will depreciate a new plane pretty well.
You can sometimes pick up nearly new planes at a steal. Just don't buy a
lemon like Art's. If you are buying new, and plan to put those hours on, go
glass.

the more you tell the group, the more we can likely help you narrow down the
choices.