Sometimes deals fall into our lap and sometimes we can search for years without finding exactly what we are looking for, but I am curious how long it took everyone to find their current plane?

This poll assumes you have finances ready and essentially $-in-hand.

I am also curious how many of you were able to stay within your "budget", or at least how close to the budget you were able to stay.

I sat down and wrote down exactly what I was wanting to do with my next aircraft and then ranked those from most important to least. I had a base idea that I wanted a kitfox IV-1200. Once I had my list completed it was rather obvious it wasn't the plane for the job. I came to the conclusion that I wanted a Murphy Rebel. Lo and Behold I had passed over one for sale on Barnstormers in my search for a KF. I took another look at it and contacted the owner. I purchased sight unseen since I am deployed majority of the year and I usually miss the good deals. I took the chance after discussing it with the A&P and insurance. They guy flew it from Washington down to Florida a week after I got home. Gotta say, I can't be any happier on how the whole ordeal turned out.

I think what made it easiest is I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. I think if you do the same it will save you time in the long run so you can be firm with yourself when you are looking at ads. If it doesn't meet your criteria, move on. Otherwise you may settle for something you aren't happy with and will then use more time/money to sell what you have only to start looking for another aircraft.

Also, where/how do you guys find the planes you're looking for? Word of mouth at the airfield? TAP and Barnstormers?

Absolutely put the word out in your circles. Here's a few sites, maybe of particular interest for Alaska/ Cessna shopping. It can certainly feel like a full-time job at times.

Best of luck,

http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Transportation/59_Aircraft/
http://www.trade-a-plane.com/for-sale/aircraft/by-make/Cessna
http://www.barnstormers.com/cat.php?mode=listing&main=
http://skywagons.com/planes_for_sale.html#.Uh1D7xai2p4
http://akaircraftsales.com/aircraft-for-sale/
http://www.wildwestaerosports.com/inventory/
http://floatsalaska.com/search.php?action=searchresults&pclass%5B%5D=6
http://www.kenmoreairharbor.com/aircraft-sales.html
http://www.aopa.org/classifieds/
http://hitchcockaviation.com/aircraft-for-sale.php
http://www.vanbortel.com/aircraft-for-sale/aircraft-inventory
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/search/rva?query=cessna&zoomToPosting=&minAsk=&maxAsk=
http://alaskaairmen.org/classifieds/
http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale/Cessna_180_185/97/page-1.htm
http://www.wipaire.com/sales/aircraft.php
http://www.steneaviation.com/aircraft_for_sale.asp?menuID=

My first plane was a Pacer I look at several different ones before my IA approved the pacer. It was going to be my trainer because I had not taken any lessons before I bought it. We actually found it when we where looking at another plane, the owner new my IA and said he had it for sale. My second plane is a PA 18 I had the cash in hand and looked for about 11/2 years before I found the one I have now. The one thing I would stress is do not fall in love with anything until you IA approves it. I have seen several great deals turn into 30,000 dollars extra just to get it flying right. High time motors are not a problem if the price is right just factor in the cost of the rebuild in the final price. I would also stay away from 0 time rebuilds unless you know who it was rebuilt and who did it. Once again I have seen several that have been rebuilt using parts that are serviceable but fail within a few hundred hours. There are good deals out there you just have to wait for them. The last thing to look at is the paint. Lots of pretty plane out there that major work, both metal and fabric types. No matter what you buy it seems there is always something that will pop up so have a few grand set aside to fix the small stuff.
DENNY

Found mine on Barnstormers. I also looked at every other site I could. Luckily, about a week after I expressed interest, the ad expired so no one else knew about it. I couldn't see it for a month since the previous owner was out of state doing some contract work. That gave me time to bounce around the country to look at 4 others. I knew the type I wanted, a C205, and was lucky enough to have a great mentor/type expert helping me through the process (rfinkle). Took me 6 weeks from getting the green light from my wife to making the purchase. I was lucky enough to find one that already had many of the options that I wanted. Hands down the best on the market at the time. I stayed within budget, but spent on the higher side given the condition, low frame/engine time, and options already installed. It was a premium well worth it. The more I fly it, the more I love it!

Thanks guys; great info.

For those of you who spent considerable time looking for aircraft online, did anyone consider using a broker to help with the search? I see brokers used for selling often, but not sure if they should be considered for purchasing of low(er)-priced aircraft?

I found my first Citabria on barnstormers. Also sold it on there. Looked for 180s all over the web. A local one was for sale for a couple years already, and seller suddenly needed it gone. I offered half the original asking price and he took it. Spent a bit getting it airworthy, but its been great for me so far, and was within my budget.

When I bought my first plane I had a budget (not much because I didn't want to borrow money). My first choice of a plane was a square tailed C-150, second choice was "anything that would leave the ground under it's own power". I settled for third choice, an Ercoupe in a barn with no engine that hadn't flown in 10 years. I found out about it from a rumor at the local airport. It took 9 months to make it flyable, but I stayed under my budget.