Paul, I bought my Navion in Kankakee during a weather layover in Chicago
on a commercial flight. I was headed to the left coast, and it was
obvious I wasn't going anywhere for a coupla days. So I rented a car and
made the drive to Kankakee, almost on a whim. The poor old girl sat
lonely and neglected in a hanger. Her owner had moved to Southern
California and told me over the phone what hanger she was in and to
"help myself". I gave her a cursory look-see, and departed the next day
from Chicago on my interrupted business trip.
While in California I had the chance to look at a LOT of Navions, and
the one back in Kankakee started to look pretty good. Called the guy,
made an offer, and became an airplane owner (again). Keep in mind I had
seen this bird once for a total of maybe an hour. Never ran it, never
flew it, never saw the logs. It just felt right.
Four years later it's still right.

Rip

Paul Folbrecht wrote:
Hmm. The 180 is still there. He must be in no hurry to sell it. Like
I said - the guy's obviously got money coming out of his ears. Dick
somebody for a $20K airplane? Doesn't seem likely. Why replace wheels,
discs, windshield just before sale on a plane you want to dump on somebody?

(Brain: to mask another, major problem.
Shutup, brain, or I'll go kill more of you with alcohol right now!)

The guy I was dealing with at the school - who seems to be acting as
broker or something - assured me that the guy wants no problems with
anybody. If I demand my money back and threaten to sue, I would not
expect an issue.

One more thing I forgot to mention - I asked to talk to one of their
instructors who'd flown the plane. He dialed a number and handed me the
phone, and I was talking to a old-timer with 40 years instructing behind
him. He said it was a quite typical 152. If they've got the whole
place setup to BS prospective buyers about this airplane, they're doing
a good job.

Wonder if he reads this NG.

I looked at a Cherokee 180 this guy had for sale back in September. I
remember seeing the Yak, Stearman, and a twin in there. I think I
remember
the 152 being there, but I never looked at it much. We were looking at
the
180.
We talked to the guy briefly. Kinda made me nervous. Too many
planes, too
little time. The 180 only had a handful of hours on it since the major
about
4 years prior (like 3 hours in one year. Yikes!). 180 was out of annual,
looked worn & just gave an overall impression of "hmmm. interesting". We
told the owner to call us when it was airworthy again & we'd come back.
Never heard from him since.
Of course, that was a whole different plane. Sounds like your 152 *was*
being flown by the school. Cool.
The guys just set some alarms off in my head, though. Best of luck
with
your (possible) new bird!

Oh, can someone please turn off the wind here in IL? Thanks. ;-)