WheelBuster

Wow, VERY nice pics!

Spot on Cruiser. New guy here and hopefully soon to be buyer. I could not agree more with the flood of poorly maintained aircraft on the market, the smaller group out there that are impeccably maintained and updated and selling for a premium (and understandably), and then the perfect buy that pops up here and there. While the panel is a good discussion, basic upkeep seems to be lacking in so many of the ac listed. When I see a plane for sale that desperately needs a paint job and interior for 30k, and find another for 40-45k that looks like an 8 in and out, with even slightly better avionics and newly sealed tanks, it is a no brainer. Me having to update the paint and interior are not something I want to undertake unless I am getting such a good deal on the plane it makes it worth the time and effort. If that plane would be worth 40k in top shape, and if paint and interior is 10-12k like I am hearing from a few owners I have spoken with, I wont look at it for more than the low 20s tops. It's not just the cost to get it up to par, but the time, effort, downtime, and headache to do so. I don't think many buyers want to go through the extra effort to break even. Even more importantly for me, a poorly maintained exterior and interior on a vessel of any kind makes me doubt, fairly or not, the quality of maintenance and upkeep mechanically. Guys that do top notch Mx usually keep the visual aspect just as clean and up to date. So in the meantime I am doing my homework, narrowing down what ac I feel fits out mission best (with Mooney still probably in the top spot), but am almost to the point where if or when that rare deal pops up I can jump on it without hesitation.

The marine units pump raw water through constantly to keep cool - they are not running air over a radiator to cool contained air. The most common issue on a marine unit is it not blowing cool air due to a clog in the intake, line, or filter. No idea how you could make it work with a radiator trying to keep it cool enough, and storing enough water in addition to the weight of the unit may be way more than these aircraft units add in weight.

Based on what I read earlier I would say this is the new ad - http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_920573_1977+Mooney+201+M20J+full+IFR.html

Very nicely done!

Good luck - that is one amazing looking plane that should find a good home soon!

Even better feedback from someone with a lot more experience than me!

I like it, it was one of the reasons I chose the flight school up there. Very nice people, not too crowded, light flight traffic, decent runway just a tad narrow (60ft), at least for a new guy. Fuel seems reasonably prices around 4.75 for 100LL (unlike 6.xx at KORL). Much more scenic flying in and out (unless you want to see lots of buildings and neighborhoods).

I am closest to KORL (about 15 min south of it) but am training up at Orlando Apopka (X04).

As a new guy (both on mooneyspace and to flying) and a potential buyer a few months from now, I could not agree more with what has been said. While I am new in this market I am not new to buying "things" - houses, boats, cars, etc. I have been watching the market for over a year now to get a feel for what is out there and what to beware of and am learning more every day (especially on this forum - thank you all!). One of the most important factors in every purchase I have made (if pre-owned) was the seller. Easy to work with, full history and disclosure, very up front about the good AND the bad, and reasonable. I will pay more to buy from someone who I feel is open and honest, never cut a corner, and went above and beyond on maintenance and upkeep. It's not worth it to save a few dollars and have a massive repair shortly after due to poor maintenance previously. If something is a possible issue or may need to be repaired or replaced in the near future, be honest about it and price it accordingly. Sometimes getting a better price knowing what is needed to make the correction is a great way to go as well.

Fortunately not, but I saw that coming when I was registering That was a nickname from many years ago as a young guy playing in the local weekend golf game. I have every intention of that never being tied to a landing!

No Mooney yet - I just started my training a month ago and am pushing hard with multiple lessons per week and tons of studying nightly. If all goes as planned, and if I do end up going the Mooney route, my guess is I will have 50-75 hours give or take when I buy. When I ran some insurance estimates through AOPA at 75 hours, 10 hours complex, the rates came back pretty good with only 10 hours dual required.

Long time lurker and new member checking in. Orlando based and hoping to meet some of the local crowd eventually. No Mooney yet, I am in the earlier stages of getting my license but am keeping a 2-3x/week schedule with a goal of finishing end of year or January. If things go as planned I hope to join the Mooney crowd in the near future!