Hi all! I've been lurking here for about two years but I think I'm finally ready to make the plunge into Mooney ownership. Everyone has told me to buy the best plane you can rather than trying to upgrade it yourself (not only cost but downtime as well). One has come up for sale that really looks like it will tick all of my boxes for the next several years and I'm hoping for a sanity check to see if I'm overlooking something.
Firstly, why Mooney? I love the looks and the efficiency but I think it will also suit my main missions:
Mission 1 - Weekend Warrior
- 3 x 80kg (176lbs) people
- 150-300nm for $100 hamburgers
- Mostly fair weather flying
Mission 2 - Visiting Family
- Me 80kg (176lbs), wife 70kg (154lbs) kid (light) plus 50-60 lbs of luggage.
- 500nm with the option to do it sub 4 hours and one leg if bladders can make it.
- Light IFR - I want to make this a more reliable option than VFR has proved to be in my location.
The Pilot
Currently 130ish hours, primarily in a C172 (50ish) and a Sonex Tailwheel (70ish), so I will need CSU/RU and conversion training but I am comfortable with a slippery aircraft and airspeed management at least. I am VFR currently but will be sitting my instrument exam soon and following onto an instrument rating soon after and I would love to be able to train in my own aircraft.
The Aircraft
https://www.mooney.org.au/ifr-mooney-m20c-for-sale/
"Mooney M20C IFR 1965 Mark 21.
TTAF 4330 Hrs.
ETR 1619 Hrs. (381 Hrs TSO).
PTSO 15 Hrs. (303 Hrs TSN).
LASAR speed mods including Single piece belly kit, cowl closure, flap gap seals, etc.
IFR Avionics upgrade including Dual Garmin G5’s EFIS and HSI with winds aloft, TAS, Garmin GTN650 GPS/COM, Garmin GTX335 ADSB, 2nd Backup NAV/COM, 4 Place Intercom, Vertical Card Compass, Fuel Flow Meter, STEC Autopilot.
New Pilot/Copilot leather seats, lifetime Teflon hoses fitted.
Fresh IFR 100 Hrly recently completed.
$139K AUD ONO $89k USD"
There are a few M20Cs for sale in Australia, but most have 1700+ SMOH and all have basic VFR panels. This seems to have more than $25k USD of avionics upgrades, not including the installation costs, plus a low time engine and prop. I imagine the interior isn't amazing and the paint is close to 20 years old and is stored somewhat coastal (corrosion risk).
A few final points:
- Pre Buy Inspection - We actually have a Authorised Mooney Service Centre a short flight from where it's currently located so they will be doing the pre buy.
- Definitely need to ask about the fuel tanks
- Hangars are neigh impossible to get close to major cities in Australia so I expect that it will need to live in the tie downs with annual Corrosion X treatments
Summary
If you got this far thank you, please share your thoughts about taking the plunge into Mooney ownership with this particular example and questions that I should ensure are addressed before making a purchase.