1980 M20K N231RX: SOLD!

[Dave Marten]

Fellow Mooney Drivers,

As of 24 Jan 2014: N231RX is "SOLD"

 

The 231 has been my flying magic carpet for the last 3.5 yrs and 400 hrs! The airplane was a perfect match for the mission: Monthly trips between CA and TX for execution of an AF flight test program and of course family travel. Well, 3 yrs later the flight test program is complete and so my high-fast flier has been re-assigned to the $100 hamburger run or romp around the desert. Bottom line: I have the oppurtunity to downsize airplanes- IE fly for FUN! I WANT AN AEROBATIC airplane and in order to do that the Turbo Mooney needs a new home.

As much as it pains me to say it: I DON'T HAVE THE NEED FOR MY 231 SPEED! 


Extremely capable - Go high, go long, go fast, X/C machine - if that is your mission then this should be YOUR plane!

Here are the specs:

http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_840895_1980+231+%28M20K%29+TURBO+MOONEY.html

1980 Mooney M20K 231 N231RX S/N: 25-0305 TTAF: 2905.1

Annual: Complete 11/6/2013 Top Gun Aviation (MSC)
Engine: Continental TSIO-360-GB with AirFlow Systems Intercooler, Merlyn automatic wastegate, GAMI “TURBOGAMI” fuel injectors, Shadin fuel flow, TSMOH: 1166.1
Prop: Upgraded to McCauley 221 series, 2A34C221-B/G90DHC-16E, Mooney 252 Hi-Efficiency Prop, 834.1TTSNEW with de-ice boots new brushes 2012.

Avionics
GX60 IFR GPS/Nav/Com coupled to MX20 MFD, Bendix-King KCS 55A HSI (Slaved-new compass gyro 2012), King ADI-Flight Director, KFC200 autopilot, Radar Altimeter, SL30 Nav/Com (#2) w/ #2 VOR/LOC, PMA6000 audio panel w/music input, King KT76 Transponder,Ryan/BFG WX-10 Storm Scope, JPI EDM-700 Graphic Engine Monitor, Shadin fuel flow/totalizer, electric trim

Airframe
Paint/Interior 2000, Monroy Long Range Fuel 109 gallons total, Precise Flight Speed Brakes,
Airframe mods: Tailcone/wingroot fairings, Mod Works Trophy 122 landing gear door conversion, 252 overlapping nosegear doors, aileron/flap gap seals, elevator/rudder hinge covers, ‘towel rack’ antennas removed from tail (inside wingtip fairings), rotating beacon removed and replaced with anti-collision lights, Pulse-Lite Recognition Light, Mooney Mart STC 3/8” thick front windshield and thicker ¼” side windows with 252 window frame mods all around.
Factory on-board oxygen with new (Nov 2013) high-capacity 115 cu ft Composite Oxygen cylinder , LASAR nose gear truss and steering horn (2011), Aux power plug, heated pitot, hangared CA corrosion-free airframe.

Misc
Reif oil sump heater, polished spinner, Bruce’s full-length aircraft cover, recent Goodyear FCIII tires all round, brakes 2012, new alternator 2013. Complete logs since new

Aircraft Hangared at Mojave Air and Spaceport (KMHV), Mojave CA


CONTACT:
Dave Marten (owner) 605-390-8044

[RocketAviator]

What is this I read..... what error did you document here.... who is going coordinate the formation fly in next year & who is going to teach me to fly formation.....

Well Well "you got some esplaining to do...."

 

oh i guess you already did you esplaining.... but I dont have to LIKE IT....

 

Good luck with the sale of your plane, hope you are going to get another one quickly!

Fly safe 

Lacee

[Dave Marten]

Lacee,

 

Just because I'm looking at switching horses doesn't mean I'm hangin up my spurs! I'm still Ops Director for the Mooney Caravan and will be proudly crackin' the whip to ensure everyone is trained and ready for Oshkosh 2014! I fully intend to be flying the Caravan Oshkosh arrival with you and will happily coordinate this year's OSH Mooney Owners Forum(s) also!

 

Dave

[RocketAviator]

Well ok now that you put it that way.... lol  oh and by the way just a long as you dont CRACK THE WHIP on ME>>>>> too much... that is!

 

Thanks for all you and those that work so hard for the rest of us do!  

 

Please let me know how I can help and when the next (reasonably close training is) I will do my best to be there.  Are you going to make it to the spring activity in Kerrville?

 

Lacee

[mjc]

If I may be so bold as to comment... unless you're downsizing by a huge margin, like someone going from a Meridian to a Cherokee, I'm not sure this is really worth it. Neither you nor your family are going to be happy with a much slower airplane. Plus, downsizing often means less size as well as less speed. Your family may fit in an M20C or M20E, but it's going to be a very tight fit such that your passengers may no longer look forward to the trip. (I recently sold a very nice M20C because of that, and now that we have a bigger airplane, everyone wants to fly everywhere again.) Plus, you're in CA, so trading planes will involve a sales tax hit. Plus fixing squawks and making small or large improvements to whatever you buy.

[Dave Marten]

If I may be so bold as to comment... unless you're downsizing by a huge margin, like someone going from a Meridian to a Cherokee, I'm not sure this is really worth it. Neither you nor your family are going to be happy with a much slower airplane. Plus, downsizing often means less size as well as less speed. Your family may fit in an M20C or M20E, but it's going to be a very tight fit such that your passengers may no longer look forward to the trip. (I recently sold a very nice M20C because of that, and now that we have a bigger airplane, everyone wants to fly everywhere again.) Plus, you're in CA, so trading planes will involve a sales tax hit. Plus fixing squawks and making small or large improvements to whatever you buy.

Noted. The decision to sell has been a very difficult choice. I'd love to keep the speedy 231, but w/o the business travel requirement it's too much plane for current mission. Its been a great love affair with 231RX and I've had my fun, but now its time for someone else to enjoy her. 

 

I'm hoping that someone who's ready to upgrade will benefit from the increase in capability (as you did).

 

[Dave Marten]

Not sure yet Jim. However, I am wrestling with the idea of a two seater to rage around the sky with reckless abandon in any attitude but level flight. However, my wife will probably pull my head out the clouds (or my backside depending on your perspective). Basically, undecided and exploring options!

[Cruiser]

Check out the Globe Swift ........ 

I just love that plane, never flew one but they sure look awesome.

[Dave Marten]

Swifts are great little planes. Similar to a vintage Mooney (both price and perf), but w/o the back seat and while beautiful, not does not rank high enough on my fun meter.

 

However, when/if I grow up and can move into that airpark home I've always dreamed of a Swift would be the perfect little plane to push out of the hangar for a crisp morning flight.  The Swift is a true classic with sexy lines.

 

First I've got to ensure my bird gets a good home!

[yvesg]

What is this I read..... what error did you document here.... who is going coordinate the formation fly in next year & who is going to teach me to fly formation.....

Well Well "you got some esplaining to do...."

 

oh i guess you already did you esplaining.... but I dont have to LIKE IT....

 

Good luck with the sale of your plane, hope you are going to get another one quickly!

Fly safe 

Lacee

Lacee, I am happy to see you plan on joining the caravan next year. If I manage to go see you in a month, I'll be able to tell you how much fun it was.

Cheers.

Yves

[fantom]

I've got a few hours in a Swift and it's a fun plane if you don't have to polish it, BUT when it grows up it'll become a Marchetti SF-260.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEbdz05wF5g

 

 

If my practical head hadn't won out over my passionate heart, I would of had an SF-260D back in 1994. They were almost the same price back then.

 

Debbie Gary, my kinda Texan pilot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zREw4HmyCCo

[Dave Marten]

Wolfman: This gives me a hard on.

Hollywood: Don't tease me.

Fantom, your getting warmer but a good SF-260 is outta reach on my salary. However IF the 4 seat option drops and I'm 'cleared wierd' on a 2 seater then it will be something requiring atleast a 4pt harness w/stick, canopy, tailwheel (preferred). If family recreational travel goes out the window (along with practicality) then it'll be just a 'toy' airplane. In that case the objective becomes maximizing FUN while attempting to minimize budget. Hard to beat the RV series for that or someday (if I can find a good) one-my own mythical "Eleanor" the Pitts S-2B. I also fly with the Redstar guys who are also trying to convince me to join them in an oil dripping bucket of commie bolts who's engines turn the wrong way and ADIs are upside down.

[KSMooniac]

A coworker just bought a pretty nice little Pitts S-1 for ~$25k.  Amazing how inexpensive those can be...but of course the 2-holer versions are a lot more.

 

Dave, if you run across my classmate I previously mentioned (recently transferred back to Edwards) you might pick his brain about fun planes and that area in general.  He's had a super hopped-up Vari EZ and an RV-6 and enjoyed both of them immensely.

[Dave Marten]

HOLIDAY SALE - PRICE REDUCED - NOW $91,000

Give yourself the gift of speed this Christmas! Why mess around with a reindeer-powered, open cockpit sled that's been obsolete for over a century. A Turbo Mooney is the ONLY way to fly this Christmas!


Festive holiday appropriate Regent Red and Las Vegas Gold jetglo paint scheme included!


Merry Christmas to all and to all a good FLIGHT!

Cheers,
Dave

[Dave Marten]

Time to fly! 91,000.

[ArtVandelay]

Dave, You list the engine as a GB, I thought all GB engines that get overhauled get upgraded to LB?

[Dave Marten]

Dave, You list the engine as a GB, I thought all GB engines that get overhauled get upgraded to LB?

Yes. At the next overhaul it will be converted. Such was not the case in the past. Mine was overhauled back in 2000.

[Seth]

Wolfman: This gives me a hard on.

Hollywood: Don't tease me.

Fantom, your getting warmer but a good SF-260 is outta reach on my salary. However IF the 4 seat option drops and I'm 'cleared wierd' on a 2 seater then it will be something requiring atleast a 4pt harness w/stick, canopy, tailwheel (preferred). If family recreational travel goes out the window (along with practicality) then it'll be just a 'toy' airplane. In that case the objective becomes maximizing FUN while attempting to minimize budget. Hard to beat the RV series for that or someday (if I can find a good) one-my own mythical "Eleanor" the Pitts S-2B. I also fly with the Redstar guys who are also trying to convince me to join them in an oil dripping bucket of commie bolts who's engines turn the wrong way and ADIs are upside down.

 

Dave-

 

Congratulations on your sale - i know it's a hard but smart deciscion.  Have you thought about a T-6 Texan as your next plane?  you can pick one up in the $130k range, fly it for a few years, and it's one of the few classes of airpalnes out there that appreciates with time.  You can sell it for equal or more in a few years.  It's slower than a Mooney, a heck of a lot of fun to fly, has two seats, and with some sweat equity you can really clean one up if you buy it right.  It's a stick, taildragger, and holds a whole lot of history behind it.  Two seats, not four, tandem, and good enough for some cross country.  Just a thought.

 

-Seth

[Dave Marten]

Seth,

I haven't sold the Mooney! I just lowered the price to 91k.

Care and feeding of a T-6 is way outta budget for an AF guy raising kids. Eagle/Pitts types are what I want. FUN and a challenge! Folks have been proposing new airplanes for me but first I need to find RX a good home!

[Seth]

Seth,

I haven't sold the Mooney! I just lowered the price to 91k.

Care and feeding of a T-6 is way outta budget for an AF guy raising kids. Eagle/Pitts types are what I want. FUN and a challenge! Folks have been proposing new airplanes for me but first I need to find RX a good home!

 

I know - just playing with the idea - i really hope your Mooney finds a new home.  Hopefully it will sell during the holiday season - great looking bird - but should it not, does the "holiday discount" expire and the price goes back up again?  For $91k, someone's getting a sweet ride.

 

-Seth

[Dave Marten]

I know - just playing with the idea - i really hope your Mooney finds a new home.  Hopefully it will sell during the holiday season - great looking bird - but should it not, does the "holiday discount" expire and the price goes back up again?  For $91k, someone's getting a sweet ride.

 

-Seth

Thanks - Price is good till it sells (maybe someday soon). She reminded me I'll be driving my old Jeep for years to come at $91K, which is OK (I like my Jeep) as long as I can keep feed the flying habit! 

 

I know its only been on the market about a month, but patience is not my thing. I quick breakup with my Mooney seems easier than stringing it along!

[Dave Marten]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

NEW YEAR - NEW PRICE - $89.5K

 

 

Thanks to some creative financial negotiations my wife has approved this price reduction. You will not find a better 231 for the $$.

 

Blue Skies!

 

Dave Marten

[jrwilson]

You're advertising this other places too right? Not just Mooneyspace? I've seen your plane in person, it is worth much more than you're selling for. If I was looking for a 231 I'd snatch this up. Just curious why it isn't gone already, you have it in TAP and controller and all the other usual suspects?

[Dave Marten]

You're advertising this other places too right? Not just Mooneyspace? I've seen your plane in person, it is worth much more than you're selling for. If I was looking for a 231 I'd snatch this up. Just curious why it isn't gone already, you have it in TAP and controller and all the other usual suspects?

Yes. Its up on all the standard sites (TAP,ASO,barnstormers, controller, etc). Been on the market about 6 weeks now. I'm trying to be patient, but I am a pilot afterall and patience is not one of my strong points.

 

Thanks for the compliment. I've got it priced to where I think it will sell given the current market. Yes, it pains me to look at Vref for the plane (easily 10K above asking price).  Sure I value the plane much more than I'm asking, let's hope the future owner sees the value also.

 

BTW John, great to hear from you. Are you considering Oshkosh this year?

[sixtypilot]

Dave, I have seen this aircraft listed on ASO and maybe another site.  I get excited each time I see it.  I am a complete newbie to the mooney world (and fixed wing community in general), so my opinion is probably pretty worthless...but I think you have a nice airframe here. 

 

Unfortunately, I will not be in the market until spring. If I was in the market today, I would head your way for a serious conversation about this aircraft.  For your sake, I hope it sells...but I wont personally be disappointed if it takes a couple more months.

 

I am a little leery about the GB engine.  I understand that they will update it to an LB model, but for the next 600+ hrs, its still a GB.  Do you believe you have incurred additional maintenance due to the known issues of the GB model engine?  Has this model produced any other challenges for you?