Any CFI with experience knows about CYA. If you don't, then you probably should think about it and your career.

I flew an older saratoga that was on a former 135 with a boatload of logbooks. I found annual/100hr/elt/transponder/etc. checks within 10 minutes. It's worth the time and effort to see if the plane was maintained. As also mentioned above, any "new to you" aircraft should always be given a good once-over. It's just not worth the consequences. So yes, go for it, but proceed with caution, that's my advice!