My first airplane was a Cherokee 140, and I'll agree it would seem to be
just about the ideal airplane to match your needs/wants. Economical to buy
and operate, great flying qualities, an excellent instrument trainer,
bulletproof Lycoming 0-320 engine, and a capable (if not terribly fast)
touring airplane. Ours lived outside in he damp Pacific Northwest for many
years with no corrosion problems. (The original paint did get pretty
scruffy, though.)

--
-Elliott Drucker