2 friends & I are starting to look at Cherokee 180's to buy. We're in a
flying club, but want our own plane. My biggest question at this point is
how to arrange pre-purchase inspections. Especially when the plane is far
away from our home base (KSPI). Is there a resource somewhere where we can
look up shops/people in various areas who do pre-purchase inspections?

Actually, if I were to do it over again, I'd use this newsgroup (and the
..piloting group) to ask for A&P mechanic recommendations in a given
geographic area before setting up a pre-buy. There is a wealth of knowledge
here, and it's spread pretty evenly nationwide -- and the price is certainly
right.

You've also touched on the reason many buyers try to stay local. The best
planes on your (and any) field will sell without advertisement. Try to plug
into the "good ol' boy" network on your field, so you can get the advance
poop about any good aircraft coming down the pike.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"