Greetings from upstate New York. I’m new to MooneySpace and to flying for that matter. I’m a student pilot currently training in a Piper Archer II but starting to look for my first plane. I’ve narrowed my search down to the Mooney M20 for the speed, efficiency and decent payload. But I’m really baffled by all the choices out there. I’ve been looking at J models and newer. Can anyone offer guidance on J’s verses K’s, or M’s, or R’s?
The performance of the early J’s seems to be as good as the newer J’s and very efficient at an economical price. But there is a draw to the faster turbo models or the six cylinders. And, of course, a lot of the early J’s have older avionics. I hate the thought of buying a plane just to turn around and spend half again as much on updating the instruments.
I realize that everyone has their own opinion, and asking owners who has the best plane is asking for trouble, but I sure would appreciate some advice from anyone out there willing to share. Suggestions, recommendations, warnings, what do you think? Then, once we have settled this issue, I can start a new thread on how to define upstate New York.
Thanks, ceep