"kontiki" wrote in message
...
Douglas Paterson wrote:
--Stuff snipped--

It sounds as though you have done a pretty thorough job of analyzing and
summarizing the situation. I did a similar thing a couple of years ago and
ended up bying myself a Comanche 250. I don't regret that decision and
still
today I think the PA24 is an excellent bang for the buck. However, if you
are one of those people that aren't willing (or knowledgable enough) to do
some minor maintenance or learn about the systems on your own airplane you
are better off buying a newer airplane (a LOT newer!). As long as you are
performing the proper maintenance and understand the essential systems the
PA24 is a solid airplane made to fly for many thousands of hours, haul a
good load at speeds obtainable only by much high priced competitors.


"Willing"? Quite--eager, in fact; from what I've read, owner-assisted mx is
the way to go, not only to save money but to better know what's "going on
under the hood."

"Knowledgeable" is a different story; I'm learning from the ground-up here.
My small-airplane experience has been solely renting up to now, and a good
10 years out of date to boot. I'm taking care of the currency issue by
starting to fly w/ the local aero club, but I won't become an overnight
mechanic by doing that! Are you suggesting that a high level of A&P-ish
knowledge is a prerequisite to owning an older airplane--or is the
willingness to learn enough?

Thanks!
--
Doug
"Where am I to go/Now that I've gone too far?" -- Golden Earring, "Twilight
Zone"
(my email is spam-proofed; read the address and make the appropriate change
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