Thank you very much, everyone, this is really helpful information!

From everything you have said it really looks like a fixed-gear, single
engine plane will be the way to go. Unfortunately, I've got a 5 person
family and I'll need to be able to carry a fairly large amount of
baggage, so I'm going to have to look into something a little bigger
than a Skyhawk.

I've been thinking that something along the lines of a Cessna 205/206
or Beechcraft S-35 would be appropriate for my needs.

What would you think of owning something like a well cared for 1965
Cessna 205 with about 900 hours SMOH on the engine? Would I just be
letting myself in for a maintenance disaster? What would you consider
to be the oldest airplane that you would consider buying as a long term
family airplane?

Thanks again,
Chris