"Ben Hallert" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks everyone for your replies so far! After some thought, I've
turned this blue-sky sequence towards the Tomahawk. I've got a big
frame, and I don't expect that will change as I lose weight, so the

Congratulations on your mass-reduction program. Being there myself I know
how tough it is.

There's nothing terribly wrong with a Tomahawk but if I had the option I'd
go sniffing for a Cherokee 140. You ought to be able to find plenty of 140s
in the 25-35k price range. If you do go on to get your instrument rating you
won't want to do it (or use it) in a Tomhawk, but a 140 is doable. Plus,
though you'll never fill all 4 seats, you can do 3 or 2 plus bags with less
pucker factor than in a tomahawk. You are less likely to outgrow the
Tomahawk too quickly and when you do I would guess it will be easier to
resell.

In terms of operating cost, the big item you're leaving off the list is
maintenance, namely, the annual. That might run you anywhere from
$1000-$5000 per year depending on what they find. If the thought of dropping
$5000 at a moment's notice scares the s--- out of you, get a partner or keep
renting. Nothing sadder than sitting on a plane you can't fly because you
can't afford to fix it.

-cwk.