they are becoming a little p**sed off with the e-mails backward and forward
It can get a bit wearisom answering one question after another. Ideally you should aim to ask all your questions in batches, but if the answers lead to more questions...
Perhaps you and your friend should review the answers you have got so far and see just how far aware you are from being able to commission an engineers inspection of the aircraft. If you are still along way from being comfortable to spend any money on an inspection, perhaps you should give up on that particualr aircraft.
Starting a group can be difficult, I tried and failed. Luckily a share came up in a group that was already up and running, after about four months of trying.
Have you asked the groups operating our of your local field whether they would consider extending their membership to include you and your friend?
Best of luck
tp