If you can wait a few weeks, I'd be happy to take you for a demo ride. My engine is currently being overhauled, so it will probably be a month before we could go. I'm in Fairbanks. I don't have any 185 time, but I have a few hundred hours in a 170. I really, really love flying the Helio. I have close to 1500 hours in Helios. Nothing like it. Well maybe a Wilga.
The expensive items that you wouldn't be familiar with are the reduction gear, landing gear legs, and like you said, the carry-through spar. Like I said my engine (& reduction gear) are being overhauled now, estimated $42K - this includes me having to buy a new crankshaft for $8K. Landing gear can be repaired (they are heat-treated), and go for around $8K to $10K. I advise you to have the landing gear x-rayed during pre-purchase inspection. There are a couple of methods of AD compliance for the spar, depending on when it was done. It can be x-rayed in place as far as I know. Some of the mechanics on this site can correct me or elaborate on this.
Happy to answer and specific questions you have about owning and operating. I'm not an A&P.
