Ugly:
The Beech Skipper and Tomahawk look identical to the casual observer yet apparently the Tomahawk is involved in twice as many spin accidents?
Not trying to be a smarta$$ - but Piper built 6 times more PA38s than Beech built Skippers.
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Knockout:
I found both aircraft similar to operate cost wise but the general student preference was for the PA38 due to heaps more room and vis.
Piper spares now are a shambles. Helitech are no longer into Piper parts and Hawkers are yet to take over. No stock in Oz to speak of.
Then again, last year I had to wait 4 weeks for a C172 tail tie down ring from Cessna as no stock in Oz.
Watch out for the 40K 'bargains' offered here that have 9000 hours as they become static displays at 11,000 hours (unless you do the spar mod).
If you want just one or two PA38s it should be OK but if you want to build a fleet it will be hard as there are only 50 or so in Oz vs '00s of C150/152s.
Why not look at importing a couple from the USA. There are some advertised cheaper than the high-time rubbish usually offered here and with lower times - also, quite a few in the USA have already had the 'Sparrowhawk' 125hp mod.