I would like to purchase 1 bitcoin off a reputable member of the community through Paypal at the current Mtgox rate.
The thing to worry about is not the reputation of the seller, but of the buyer You would need a much bigger track history of honesty and reliability before anyone reputable would trust you to pay for bitcoin with paypal.
It's hard to get that track record when I can't be given a chance.
Quite the conundrum, eh?
Very much so.
Buy something tangible with paypal or credit card. Sell it for Bitcoins. Ship first to trusted individuals if necessary. Build a reputation.
Or just use https://localbitcoins.com/ and pay with cash.
Problem with localbitcoins is the closest place is still a distance from me.