[944Larry]

Cessna 172, without a doubt. Are there other planes I like better, hell yeah. The Grummans mentioned above really turn my crank. But for the most bang for the buck, easy to work on and maintain, parts are everywhere, every A&P knows them inside out, will haul whatever you put in them and are easy to fly and stable, you get the point, 172!!!!! If you want to spend a little more, look at a 182. Get an IFR certified plane and work on that instrument ticket as you go along. You won't regret it.