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I looked at an aircraft that looks in good shape everywhere, except the landing gear has some chipped paint and what looks like surface rust. Is that something that would stop you from considering proceeding with a pre-buy inspection?

Thanks for all the input. The more information I get, the more I realize that a cheaper airplane is not necessarily the least expensive. I first got interested in a Mooney when a friend had a 1964 M20E for sale for $20K. The more I researched the more my budget increased. Last week I was looking at $65k aircraft and then $80K and now over $100K. Does any know of someone who can do a prebuy inspection in St Louis, MO?

Ah, ha! So, there is Thunderbird Aviation there. That’s good to know that that airplane was actually hangared.

It says it’s at Flying Cloud Airport in Minnesota.

Yes, it is taking a lot of time to research different models, avionics, engines and maintenance problems. I find it interesting, though, and think I’ll probably be researching issues more after I get an airplane. Mooney space seems like a great community.

The ad for the older plane says it has always been hangared, but I just looked at the pictures again and all the pictures show it tied down outside. Makes me wonder.

What is a 208 inspection? It sounds like the 1989 model plane may be better equipped to prevent corrosion since it has the epoxy primer, but it also has been exposed to the elements more.

Would an A&P normally find any corrosion during an annual inspection? Is that something that would show up in the logbook or something I could find out from talking to the mechanic who has been working on the airplane? Or do you have any other ideas on how I can reasonably find out if it has significant corrosion before I pay for a pre buy inspection?

Thanks for the input. All good things to consider before deciding if I want to spend the money for a pre-buy. Neither ad mentions the tanks being resealed, and the avionics are about the same. Both claim no gear up landings. I checked on the epoxy primer date and found one source that said Mooney started using it post 1986 and another source said post 1987. Either way, the 1989 plane I am looking at would have the epoxy primer and the 1984 plane would have zinc chromate (unless it has been repainted IAW Service Bulletin M20-208 in 1979). Therefore the 1989 plane should have better corrosion protection, but it has been sitting outside for most of 31 years. So, it looks like greater likelihood of problems with the newer airplane but it does have some updates the older one doesn't, like inner gear doors, round corner windows, 28V electrical system, electrically operated cowl flaps, redesigned interior and stormscope. (Thanks for the spreadsheet, PT20J.) I will request the logbooks for both airplanes and see if I can determine how they were cared for.

Good point. It was used as a trainer in St Louis, MO. So, probably hot and humid in the summer and cold and humid in the winter. The older one is in Minnesota, so similar conditions but it says it was hangared. With the 1984 model as a baseline, I see the value of the 1989 model as: Engine 850 SMOH (I listed it wrong above) vs 150 SMOH: -$10,500 Newer paint: +$8,000 Not hangared: ? (Just guessing -$5k-10k. Corrosion, rubber seals, ?) Used as a trainer: ? (Guessing -$5K-10K for landing gear parts if needed) So, I’m guessing the newer one is worth about $12K-22K less and is selling for $21K less. I have very little fixed wing experience so I’m looking for some help on my estimations and any insights on what you would expect from a airplane used as a trainer

I’m looking at buying a M20J and I’ve narrowed it down to a 1984 model with 5000 TT, 150 SMOH, original paint for about $86K or a 1989 model with over 10,000 TT, 650 SNEW, new paint but was used as a trainer for $65K. Both have what looks like stock avionics. I’m leaning toward the 1989 model since it is significantly less expensive and 5 years newer. I’m not concerned about it having twice as many hours as much as I am about it probably making several times more landings during training. What are your thoughts?