Junk

[Matt Michael]

I remember seeing that one earlier.  It looks really nice.  I'd limited my search to ones that were within a certain distance so hadn't followed up.  With a friend in the neighborhood it might be worth a closer look.  I don't see an auto pilot and I do want one, even if only 1 axis.  I'll put this one on my list and let you know if I need a closer look.  THANK YOU for your offer to help!  Awesome!

 

MM

 

Matt,

 

This E model is in the hangar next to mine. I have only seen it twice, but it presented as-advertised as an "always hangared" bird. When he was asking 44K I heard that he would take 38K. Now he is asking 40K. I hear he is very motivated. Very low time engine. Might be worth a look. If you are seriously interested in it and want to set it up with the owner I would be happy to give it a closer look for you.

The link will just show you the pictures but there is also a description that you can find if you search for it.

Jim

https://www.barnstormers.com/listing_images.php?id=653271

[Seth]

I have a secret effect when purchasing aircraft.

 

In 2008 when I purchased my First Mooney, it was an F model - I looked at two F's and one E.  The F I purchased was suggested by my local MSC.  I closed the deal in July 2008.  The market then CRASHED. 

 

in 2011, I sold my F and Purchased the Mooney Missile.  I walked away from a 252 after a pre-buy went bad, and my offer didn't get accepted on the first Missile - The Second Missile, the one I purchased, occured in July 2011.  The Flash CRASH occured soon after with instability in the market.

 

So, when I buy an airplane, the market crashes.  Best leading indicator out there.

 

I looked at three different airplanes and walked away from a deal with a prebuy on a 252.  It happens - that's what pre-buys are for, you spend a little to save a ton.

 

You'll find your plane - keep looking - see what is for sale here.

 

What is your price range and what are you looking for mission wise?  IFR?  VFR?  Light IFR?    How many passengers?  Etc . . .

 

-Seth

[Mooneymite]

What is the definition of "tire kicker"?

 

Someone who has neither the will, nor the means to purchase, but likes to waste your time to weave a day-dream.

[Matt Michael]

Light IFR with option to upgrade, AP, E or F model. Either a nice flyable plane under $45K or a project under $25K. Must have tires too so I can kick them

[scottfromiowa]

The E on Ebay potentially meets those criteria.  It's a one hour flight to see it...AFTER reviewing logs.

[N601RX]

There is an E close to me that has an S-Tec 30 with altitude hold and a 430. Also has bladders, shoulder harnesses and engine monitor, rosen visors, and electric gear.  The Engine is lower time.  I think it is listed in the middle to high 40's  now. The plane is located at 79J.

[Matt Michael]

The EBay bird doesn't have an autopilot sadly.

[Matt Michael]

Do you know where this one is listed? I've probably seen it but rejected due to the distance. Probably should reconsider

There is an E close to me that has an S-Tec 30 with altitude hold and a 430. Also has bladders, shoulder harnesses and engine monitor, rosen visors, and electric gear. The Engine is lower time. I think it is listed in the middle to high 40's now. The plane is located at 79J.

[N601RX]

PM Sent

[KSMooniac]

Do you know where this one is listed? I've probably seen it but rejected due to the distance. Probably should reconsider

 

With your criteria, I think you'll need to look nationwide and be willing to travel after you vet it long-distance/electronically with lots of pictures and log reviews.  Finding a semi-modern autopilot in any vintage Mooney on the market is pretty difficult in my observation, much less one with an IFR GPS. Keep in mind that adding an STEC 30 today (for example) will cost north of $15k new, perhaps less if you can find a used one and pay STEC to transfer the STC but it will still be close to $10k IMO for a used one.

 

Good luck...it is still a great time to buy and eventually you'll find what you want!

[scottfromiowa]

Happy tire kicking...

[ArtVandelay]

Call me crazy, but I've purchased the Mooneys I've owned sight unseen. This not to say that I haven't had my share of frustration as well. However, I believe if you really know what you're looking for, what to watch out for, follow the proper prebuy procedures and realize that even if the plane appears to be "well maintained" you should still expect the unexpected. Planning to buy is not that different than planning a flight in that the best laid plan still needs flexibility. The procedure I take is: 1) Know the aircraft that fits your mission--both flight mission and money wise, 2) Research the values of the existing aircraft as well as the cost of what you would like to change about it (avionics, interior, paint...), 3) If the aircraft is still in the running at this point, then make an offer contingent on a satisfactory prebuy at a service center of your choice, 4) Roll the prebuy into an annual regardless of how recent the annual was completed, 5) Negotiate the final purchase price based on any squawks whether airworthy or not, 6) Hire a qualified pilot, preferably affiliated with the shop doing the annual or the broker offering the aircraft, to fly the plane to you for delivery.

 

Crazy,

Assuming the MSC isn't local, who normally pays to transport the plane to the MSC??

If the buyer, seems like the seller has no skin in the game?

Any estimate of what it costs to hire a ferry pilot to fly the plane?

[Cyril Gibb]

I saw this topic and couldn't resist commenting.

I've been in the market for a Mooney for several months now... the incredibly frustrating experience is worth another thread in itself  (I commented a while ago about being called a "tire kicker" because I had the temerity to ask the seller what the asking price was.... sigh...

 

Anyway, I had heard that you should buy the best plane you can afford, along the lines of (paraphrased) "an inexpensive plane costs about $90k and an expensive one costs about $60k"...

I struggled with that concept of paying more up front, but kept getting uncomfortable with hidden costs like cam spalling and so on...  It would be a bummer to pay top buck for what appeared to be close to perfect and then have to shell out another $40K. (things are a LOT more expensive in Canada)

I decided that I would pay less upfront for a plane that had less than pristine maintenance but had "good bones", much as how I look at a house to purchase.

I knew I would spend 30-40% of the purchase price doing ALL the things I would have done myself, but would at least know better my starting point.

 

On Friday we start an in-depth prepurchase on an American M20J with a low time roller cam engine and quite good avionics (and damage history).

Time will tell.

[Matt Michael]

Thanks to a forum member I may have finally found my ride. Seller has sent loads of hi res pics and about 40 logbook scans. Everything looks real good. Taking a 15 hour drive (one way) for Xmas tire kicking!

[phecksel]

People often don't sell planes because they tire of flying, they often sell them because maintenance and/or cost of flying become mor than they are willing to stomach.  And Mooney owners tend to be umm, value minded  

 

Limited maintenance, limited flying, leads to further problems down the road.

[Matt Michael]

For a while, it seemed like every plane I looked at had been geared-up, at LEAST once.  My friends started to wonder what the deal was with Mooney pilots always forgetting the gear!  In some ways it seemed like a good thing because it meant that the prop was a new scimitar and the engine had recently been gone through (eliminating likely cam issues among other things).  

[mike_elliott]

People often don't sell planes because they tire of flying, they often sell them because maintenance and/or cost of flying become mor than they are willing to stomach.  And Mooney owners tend to be umm, value minded

 

Limited maintenance, limited flying, leads to further problems down the road.

 

Most of the mooney owners I know, just the opposite is true, they take exceptional care of their planes I am sure there are those that don't, as you say, but I don't know them. Ill agree we are a frugal bunch, for example, we have 6 people donating (and very generously I might add) for the welcome reception at the Mooney summit but we have 30 people attending...Step up guys, this is YOUR reception  Make it as nice as you want it!

[scottfromiowa]

Thanks to a forum member I may have finally found my ride. Seller has sent loads of hi res pics and about 40 logbook scans. Everything looks real good. Taking a 15 hour drive (one way) for Xmas tire kicking!

I hope the bird is everything you hoped for...and more...and the deal is right. Good luck Matt. Safe travels.

Scott

[Matt Michael]

There is an E close to me that has an S-Tec 30 with altitude hold and a 430. Also has bladders, shoulder harnesses and engine monitor, rosen visors, and electric gear.  The Engine is lower time.  I think it is listed in the middle to high 40's  now. The plane is located at 79J.

 My girlfriend says, "lets GO!  We'll get a room on the beach for a few nights AND check out the Mooney."  

 

Room booked.

 

Happy Xmas!

[larryb]

You need an airplane so you don't need to drive for 15 hours...

[mooniac15u]

 My girlfriend says, "lets GO!  We'll get a room on the beach for a few nights AND check out the Mooney."  

 

Room booked.

 

Happy Xmas!

 

Is that a Florida destination?  Since your Cyclones are home for the holidays you might want to swing by Tampa on the 1st to root for the Hawkeyes!

[rbridges]

 It's just mind boggling to me that knowing how far I was traveling, the seller would so seriously misrepresent and make us wait around so much.

 

 

 

 

No kidding.  I've seen stuff, not just planes, that was horribly misrepresented.  You wonder if the seller is just plain crazy or waiting for the right sucker to come along.  Personally, I'd be embarrassed to do something like that.

[rbridges]

For a while, it seemed like every plane I looked at had been geared-up, at LEAST once.  

 

mine was, too.  In 1966.  

Thanks to a forum member I may have finally found my ride. Seller has sent loads of hi res pics and about 40 logbook scans. Everything looks real good. Taking a 15 hour drive (one way) for Xmas tire kicking!

 

awesome.  where is it located?

[Matt Michael]

"Lower Alabama".

Pretty funny.

[mike_elliott]

"Lower Alabama".

Pretty funny.

 

Matt, let me put a plug in to have Don Maxwell's guys do a prebuy on it. GGG is not far from lower Alabama. I have recently worked with a gent who purchased a J from the N.O. area. The Maxwell prebuy/annual saved him many times over the cost of Don's work.