Thank you everyone for your input! I was surprised to see so many posts when I checked today. Really, thank you! Since it might help I'm located in Leesburg, VA (JYO). I used to fly for the airlines, but I took a job flying for a Washington, DC based company a few years ago. I finally have some time to fly a plane around for fun! I mean turbines are cool and all, but flying a little lower and seeing more of the country is definately a nice perspective.
I've been exploring a few options; having something I could jump in and fly around Virginia, perhaps the occasional trip down to Jacksonville, FL seems to be all I'm really looking for at the moment. So I'm planning on around 100 hours a year. In addition to that, my brother has expressed an interest in learning to fly. I thought about finding a 152/172 that I could teach him in (I'm also a CFI). Based on all that I was looking at a C172, but when I learned that the M20 has the same engine I was intrigued. Seems your per mile costs is much lower and while not really a trainer, I could still instruct in it from time to time.
What kills me is that I just rented out a few hangars to some clients, so for now the plane is going to have to sit outside (hangars are a hot commodity in this area)...under a nice cover. Until I can free some space up I'm stuck with a tie-down. I'm cringing as I write that.
Seems like what I've read thus far, I need to look for corrosion around the windows and wings spar, as well as the condition of the fuel tanks. I'm going to take my time looking for a mid-60's airplane around the 55-65k range? Is that a reasonable expectation?
-Ryan
