If you cannot afford a Hawk any other way, you likely cannot afford this
Hawk. The list of things that can go wrong can quickly add up over the 20k
savings. You really cannot afford the risk that comes with trying to save
the money. Leave this kind of deal to an A&P or shady broker with a cousin
at the FSDO..


I'm starting to realize that just getting it registered could involve a bit
of work.
Your probably right here.


IMO you would be better off borrowing the money for a Hawk of more known
value, or reexamining if you really need a Hawk. Assuming you want the Hawk
for short field work, perhaps you could buy a used homebuilt that would fit
the bill.

Also, remember that a 172 is really a much more expensive plane. You are
buying old to save costs, but the parts still costs the same (you just need
more of them). Buying a 30k old plane can easily mean another 10k to keep it
flying safely!

Perhaps you should look into a really nice 152, or cherokee 140? Get a
partner?


I fly out of MEV, which is at 4700 MSL.
In the summer the density altitude can be much higher, and it is surrounded
by mountains.
I would really like the extra horsepower.

A 152 probably wouldn't fit my needs. A 140 (maybe with the 160 conversion)
would be better.
I've also been looking at a Musketeer. It needs radios, but it has 5 SMOH
on the IO-346.
Any opinions about this bird?

Thanks,

Adam