steelerp

Mike @ KAXH...I just noticed that you asked $. Pushing 11K. But that is the fully monty (yokes, glareshield, mats, belts, etc). Killing many Corinthian's in the process. Rick

Update...visted all 3. Have decided on Aero Comfort. Second place was Aero Plus. Hector was not the cheapest. His shop was unbelievable. The work looked outstanding. This is not to say that the other two shops were not. In fact, after visiting Aero Plus, I was 80% sure that they'd have my business. Glad I took the time to visit all three. Will post once it's done. They won't start till April. Business is good..... Rick

I owned a 65 C model from 96 till I sold her in 08. A great airplane. I would also caution that buying a Mooney too cheap could wind up costing you much much more in the long run. There is bound to be deferred maint with a price that low. Forget about the engine being close to major. I've sold two airplanes with one having 1920smoh and the other having 1640 smoh. What sold them both was the obvious fact that I had pumped $$ into other aspects of the airplane. And, that they had not sat for any length of time. I guess my advice is...don't go too cheap. You usually get what you pay for. Rick

Peter, I'm a satisfied customer. Can't wait to save up the coin (maybe next year) for the MFD with revisionary capability. Interesting discussion. Rick

Thanks very much for the input! We (wife and I ) have set a date to go over and visit Mike at Tejas and Hector in New Braunfels. I've seen work from Aero Plus and to be honest, I'm leaning towards them simply because they are easy (local) to get to. But, these are three fine shops and the $$$s are close. Will repost when I select. Thanks again!! Rick

Tried them and they are no longer in business. Thanks though! Rick

Planning on having the J redone very soon. I'm talking with Aero Comfort (San Antonio area), Aero Plus (Houston) and Tejas AeroServices (San Marcos). They are all comparable in price for what I'm looking for. So, who has any experience with these shops? Good or bad. Thanks Rick

A friend of mine in Tulsa has been trying to sell his manual gear, non-ifr, 65 E model for over a year now. Limited inquiries and everybody is lowballing him. He started at 47k and told me the other day that he's down to 38k. Has one "working" prospect right now. His is 4400 TT, with 1100 SFRM, paint 8, int 6-7, weak radios (1 kx155, flybuddy gps with upgrade to ifr enroute), good maint history, no damage. Not sure if that helps.

Having bought mine in June of 2009, I can tell you that any 201 you find under 100k will most likely need something on your list. All the airplanes I looked at had multiple issues at the 85k pricepoint. I finally stumbled on a brand new listing in trade-a-plane, called him and he agreed to hold. Bought it a few weeks later but he was firm on the price. Do NOT under estimate how much radio work will set you back. My plan was to spend 11k for a 430 and be done. When I looked at what it "really" was going to take, I wound up dropping 21K to clean up the junk and get reliable radios. The Aspen installed this year was done because the prices dropped on installations, both by the shop and the vendor. Total investment in the panel now - 31K Beware of spending too little money on an airplane. The one at All American must have some issues. The guy who owned mine before I did thought he had bought a bargain. Unfortunately, he wound up doing the tanks, an engine, the prop, the glass...right at 51k (I have his old receipts) between Don Maxwell and Wilmar. Hope this helps. Rick

There is a problem with the structure in the 77 Mooney. Check out my pics or see this youtube clip The radio guy had planned on installing at the top and working down. He was unable to due to the structure. So, he started at the bottom and worked up. Rick

I have a 77 J with the same issue. I called the factory and (don't have my notes in front of me) believe the price was 285$. But, this was for the entire assembly. You could not just buy the lens cover. Rick

Well, if you have 4 mins and have not seen one in action, go here When I was trying to decide on whether to buy one or not buy one, I couldn't find any video that showed me an installation and more specifically, the screen size. Hopefully, if you are on the fence about buyiing an Aspen, this will help. I also bought the Sporty's video once I signed the deal. Yeah...it's a sales video for their MFD and other options. But, I found when I got in the airplane....I was totally plugged in. Also, no sales tax in Oklahoma for this sort of thing. And, the shop has really treated me right (price & service). Rick

The more I fly behind it, the better I like it. Also...if you're looking at a 430, spend the extra coin and get the 530. For my 51 year old eyes, it makes a big difference. Rick

This thread may be old and tired. But, I pick mine up Oct 1. I allowed for two weeks and he had it done in one. Same shop (and tech) that did my Garmin install. Great price....Great shop. If you aren't set on a shop yet, try Davis Field Aviation (918-682-4101). Ask for Mike or Nate. I have had zero problems with the Garmin install from last year and expect the same on the Aspen.

I bought a '77 after looking at everything from that year to '87. There was so much junk and over-priced airplanes, that when I found the 201DF...the year and the radios did not matter. It was the first 201 that was reasonable priced, no damage, good maint, great paint, good interior and lowtime engine/prop. I've since had all the radios redone and it comes out of the same shop with an Aspen installed on Friday. Can't wait! I'd focus on quality and forget year. Know that if everything is right on the airplane, it will not be less then 100k. If it is, then it will be lacking in one or more areas.

This thread may be dead. If that is the case, disregard. 201DF is in the shop now for it's Aspen install. A small shop in Muskogee OK is doing it. Same bunch that did all my Garmin work last year. I was going to push this to next year but with the rebate from Aspen of 1000$, I decided to move this year. Will post after I pick it up.

congrats!! I love mine and had a C model before that. Wishing you many safe hours.... Rick

I'd pass unless you could get the airplane for a lot less. SB208 (there is an A & could reveal significant corrosion to the tubes. That could be very expensive. There are too many airplanes out there at 70 - 80k that probably have less issues. Just know you most likely won't get everything you want under 100K. If you find good paint, low hours since major, good interior...you'll most likely need to dump 15 - 20k in it for radios. If you find one that has good raidos, you'll probably find damage history that you don't want to deal with. Don't get in a hurry. I spent 8 mos looking till I found mine. And....It needed radios. 21K later ( I had budgeted 12k), I've got a nice 201. That's another thing...whatever you "think" something is going to run you, add 30 - 50%. Rick

I "thought" my mind was made up to use Tejas next year (Aspen this year, Garmin last year) but after seeing this...and the price (8ish you say), I will reconsider. Thanks for sharing. Rick