JamyDev

Thanks for all the feedback. I think the best course of action for me is to work on my Instrument rating next. Maybe with a complex plane. Once I get those, I'll re-evaluate my purchasing plans. Hope I can catch a ride in a Mooney some time, I fly out of S43 and I know there's a Mooney based there but haven't had a chance to run into the owner.

I'm afraid that if I do that I'm even more going to want one, which by the sound of it isn't quite the right decision yet. Didn't know that. Any chance I can bug you for a test ride? Any Mooney, or is there a model that you would consider a good starting point?

Roger, I was hoping to avoid having to buy a temporary aircraft just to transition to the bravo in the future anyways (use taxes + sale fees ). I'd hope to start doing my instrument training immediately after buying. Closest retract that I can rent is $255 / hobbs hour + $80 for instruction. I'd rather pay that to an instructor that can teach me in the plane that I'd actually be flying. I got some insurance quotes a while back, and I am able to get insurance (albeit not cheap, this was with early hour Student Pilot with 0 retract as inputs)

I'm getting close to finishing my PPL and I've been looking at what plane I'd like to get. The Bravo always stood out to me so that's what I'm going for. My instructor told me I should get at least 15 hours of dual with a CFI that has experience in the type, which is definitely my plan. From reading the forums I've seen mostly good things about GMax, where they have N83FL. Looks to be decent, low time and mostly modern avionics. Since this is my first aircraft purchase, any tips, tricks, or hints / things you would have liked to know before getting your Bravo? How do I find a reputable mechanic to do a pre-purchase halfway across the country (Texas)? This plane had a prop strike and an IRAN done. What kind of problems would I be able to expect with that? Is it worth upgrading the KFC-150 to a GFC500? (Although I can't figure out if that's compatible with the G500 (non-Txi)) For you PNW based owners, where do you go and get your annual done? Cheers, Jamy