I would not recommend buying any airplane where you go into it on a tight budget. The Skymaster is a great machine but it has to be kept in shape. I second Roger. Pay up front or pay later, but either way, you're gonna pay. I spend $30 to $35 thousand per year for hanger, insurance, gas, and maintenance to fly my 1973 337G (no-turbo) 100 hours. It has been that way since I bought the plane in 2002. That works out to $300 to $350 an hour, which seems reasonable to me to have my own beautiful Skymaster waiting for me whenever I want it. Unless you have access to free or very reduced labor costs, I really do not see how these planes could be operated for less.
Good Luck!
Ed
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