What to buy
You will go a long way to find a better machine than a Cessna 182.
Even an older one will give :- Performance with a full load,Space, Range,Spares not a problem,Great in and out of a strip (early ones have 40degrees of flap) (proper flaps that is).
Most of them have a simple a/pilot and they are fun, safe and easy to fly.
There are a lot of "orphan" aircraft out there that seem a good deal until you need a repair or spares.Mr Cessna did a good job with the 182 which started life as a taildragger.Of course a 180 would be nice but a touch expensive now
Pobjoy