Chopper Dog

Has anyone seen this? Looks like a nice F model. http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=323654202587&category=63677&pm=1&ds=0&t=1554734584000&ver=0

Here's my story... OK, so being a Mooney newbie (ie I am not very knowledgeable about Mooney's) this looks like a pretty good deal. I was thinking an F model but this is a newer air frame for not a whole lot more AMU's. Seems like you get a faster ride than an F and if fuel consumption is an issue the you throttle back and get the reduced fuel burn.. The engine has 1485 hrs and from the research I have done TBO is 1800. Overhaul should be ~40K give or take. Pros newer air frame, faster plane. Cons Useful load looks smaller than F model (fuel tanks are larger?), somewhat more expensive and will need an overhaul in ~3 years. Can I get some thoughts from the more experienced members? Is the maintenance for a K going to be substantially more than an F? What else should I be thinking about? Thx, ChopperDog

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate it. Additional info... I was born, raised and have lived all my life in Memphis. Memphis has a great many fine qualities not the least of which is some of the best BBQ, down home southern cooking, Italian or Mexican food you will ever eat. It is also a wonderful place to raise a family however, it is in the middle of nowhere. The closest cities of any size are St Louis, Nashville, Little Rock and Jackson, MS and they are all it least 3 hours away. I have relatives all over Arkansas, Kentucky & Tampa. I also have friends scattered around. Taking account all of the above I am sure that I will fly my share of hundred dollar hamburgers but my intention is to use my plane to travel. I would love to take xcountry trips in my own plane. I have always enjoyed reading about the trips that people take in their own airplanes. I read one the other day about a guy that flew his Mooney to Baja (http://www.mooneyland.com/baja-mexico-true-family-adventure/). Another thought is I would like to work on my instrument rating, I suspect that would come in handy from time to time. If anybody has any other thoughts, please add them. Thx for welcoming me to the community. CD

A little about me. Back in the summer of 2001 my wife looked at me and said, “ I am tired of hearing about flying, either go and learn or be quiet. Besides the children are not getting cheaper.” That was a learning experience. Apparently, I talked about flying a lot and, unbelievably, the kids were going to get more expensive (as it turned out, a lot more). I went and got my PPL and flew until about 2007. The last 3 years or so I was looking at Cherokee 6’s and thinking I have a family of 5 and this would be a great way of travel. The kids did get more expensive and the economy had some “issues”, so I quit flying. Fast forward 12 years and I only have 1 left in college, I am retired, looking at getting current and I have got the green light to buy a plane. I have been thinking. I could buy a RV 9 to build a little time, but they seem to be about the same price as an older Mooney. If I buy an already built RV I will lose the advantage of doing my own maintenance. Mooney’s are extremely efficient planes so operating costs should be low (relatively), realistically most of my flying will be with 2 people and more than 4 will be rare. So, I could buy an old C model (cheapest option) and fly it to get some time, experience and see if I want to upgrade to a more recent model. All things considered I could spend more and get an F or later model as the interior is supposed to be bigger (is that true?, I am 6’2”, 240lbs) and that could be a longer term, more comfortable plane. Or should I just buy a 201J and that will be my forever plane (I am 62). Initial cost and total cost of ownership will be a consideration, obviously. Can I get some thoughts on the subject from you current pilots? Thx, ChopperDog