Guys, he lives in Texas, stop talking about snow! We NEVER see snow here... well, except for this week of course! But we live in Texas for a reason: if there's snow, we aren't going outside, much less going flying, lol.
Seriously, get a 182... I did. I agree TWs look sexier. And feed the ego & earn more bragging rights. I also think low wings look better than high wings, but I'm not trading my Cessna for a Cherokee, not for my backyard grass strip. And all my buddies grass strips. If you're going to be true bush flying & landing off airport, then ok. But for anything that can be called a landing strip, 182 is just great! And, if a whole bunch of your flying is to big concrete runways, you won't need a stiff drink after every crosswind landing. White knuckle & sweaty palm flying is not enjoyable. Purchase price & insurance are big bonuses too. I moved up from a 172 and WOW what a difference! On hot muggy 98 degree days, too many take-off's were of the white knuckle/sweaty palm variety... the 182 erased all of that. And it's bone stock for now. Sure hoping for Sportsman STOL & bigger engine & tires someday to widen the grin even more. I'm at Foggy Bottom (77TE), drop in & show off your new plane when you get it, I'll treat you to lunch! Congrats!!

Thank you Dale. Sounds like we are in the same boat. I'm 6' 180 and with me and my instructor in the 172 it was cozy!! We had a 172 and a 182 in our club and I got to fly the 182 a bit before striking out on my own in a search for the right plane and really was comfortable in the 182. So other than 2.5 hours flying it all my other 120+ were in the 172. Fine for me and one more but that is pretty much it. Want to be able to stop and pick up friends and go to maybe New Orleans for a meal and the night. Can't do that in a 172. Also need something with capability to fly to almost any field. I work for a company called HanagrBot that does hangar automation products so I would like to be able to land at any customers field and I think it allows it. It is crazy how expensive things have gotten but I think I finally found one not sold and in great shape for $129 for a 1976 that has had some nice upgrades and has about 400 hours until it needs an overhaul. The Texas guys in Boerne that do the engine upgrade is my thought for the OH/upgrade at the time. Have you done an OH on your 182 or gotten prices yet? It has good avionics that can be upgraded when they stop working! Don't mind a good 430W and a six pack. Its what I learned in.

"Guys, he lives in Texas, stop talking about snow! We NEVER see snow here... well, except for this week of course! But we live in Texas for a reason: if there's snow, we aren't going outside, much less going flying, lol"

As I was catching up on here I noticed all the snow comments and was thinking exactly what you wrote from above!! HAHAHAHA
Right! That is why I have been off here since last week. Lost all power and water for the week from Tuesday to Friday when I finally got power, then got to spend Saturday and Sunday fixing plumbing when the water kind of came back on. Still having bottle water for us and have to boil water for the dogs!! I figured out I want nothing to do with snow for another 10 years!!! We just aren't designed for that here in Austin TX.

Hey John,

I bought my 182 with a 150hrs on a factory reman engine while I was still as student, so no rebuild necessary. All that money will be going into replacing the old radios and gps.

I found my plane by placing a WTB on the Cessna Pilots Association Website. You could also post on the Cessna Pilot Society Website and other sites in lieu of finding an plane that was advertised.

I can't recommend a good pre-buy enough. I would have been in big trouble if I didn't get a good pre-buy as I think a couple of the sellers were trying to take advantage of me being new. Not everyone, but a couple which was a bummer.

If you decide to get a 182, I would get a copy of the Cessna Pilots Association buyer's guide for the 182. If you PM me your email I can send you a copy of the PDF or you can buy a copy with the below listed link: https://cessna.org/shop/books/buyers-gu ... d-edition/

Best'

Tried to PM you and it would not let me. My email is [email protected]. I know what you mean on the take advantage. I am a research nut on buying something and I try to ask all of the right questions but my research tells me to get the best 182 mechanic and have them go into every system on the plane!! Would rather spend a few thousand on a good prebuy and not several thousand on repairs!

I’ll send it to you on friday