Mariner - my Archer II is IFR and the cost of getting parts here makes the UK look like a bargain.
That said mine has cost far less to operate that I expected - with some rentals the marginal cost of my personal flying works out at 50 cents an hour - even with a five figure insurance premium ( there is a monopoly insurer!) and renting at prices below typical UK levels - the benefit of being the only provider I suppose.
I do know that I was fortunate to get a "good one", old, not pretty but beautifully rigged, OK avionics (no NARCO) and a new engine - so it's a gamble.
Write off the capital and look to be spending GBP20,000 and work out how you'll do that and if you can live with it great - if not a group is a good idea, even if you start it yourself.