Incremental ownership cost for an Ovation vs 201

[KSMooniac]

The main issue, at least on the J, is that the face of the center console on the '77 (and likely earlier planes) forms the aft side of the nose wheel well, along with separate side panels and a flat top piece that holds the fresh air vent.  The '78+ planes have a separate wheel well that is more contoured and the fresh air duct is curved along the top piece.  There is a smaller aluminum sub-panel that rivets to the top of the duct, the sides of the nose wheel well, and fastens to the lower instrument panel support tube to house the push-pull controls.  No way to fit that into the older configuration, unfortunately, so all of it needs to be changed.  

 

One nice surprise is that the later model well is contoured and not just a big rectangular box, so it leaves more room under the panel to install stuff.  My aftermarket avionics cooling fan was installed in my radio stack (taking up valuable space) so I'm going to relocate it to the top of the well in my new found extra space (just like the later planes).  Ditto for the transponder gray code terminal strip and backup battery for my Lifesaver gyro.  

 

When I'm done I'll make a separate thread showing the progression (and carnage).

 

I should also recover a few pounds of useful load with the swap too.  I measured 8+ lbs of removed stuff so far, but haven't weighed the incoming parts but I know they are significantly lighter.

[jetdriven]

At least the blade VOR antennas are easier than we thought. It's a pretty simple mod actually.

[Av8]

I'm in the US - and I agree with comments about engine age - mostly concerned about a hangar queen - more if an hours/year flown thought. It appears to be a buyers market - so taking the time to dig in to the many J's for sale

[aaronk25]

I'm in the US - and I agree with comments about engine age - mostly concerned about a hangar queen - more if an hours/year flown thought. It appears to be a buyers market - so taking the time to dig in to the many J's for sale

It's a buyers market and most buyers are novice and no doubt will buy a plane that hasn't been flown much thinking they got a great buy, but paid a premium to get a mid or low hour bird.......you guys know the rest of the story.

As pilots as a whole age, planes are getting flown less and less....

Put me on the list of dummies I bought a mine engine 10 years old....if it wasn't for my prop strike I'd have been paying for a tear down due to cam and lifter failure....

[Don Scorese]

Av8...... In response to your question about what you are missing regarding and old J, MSE or O...... I agree that it does not make sense to spend an extra $100,000 to go 20-30 knots faster. As for my original question, I am deciding between a MSE or Ovation. I used to own a MSE and like the split rear seats and electric flaps. I also understand that the older models need to be inspected for rust as the stuff they used or how it was applied not not very good. I am sure many on this website can give you the details.

So in my case.....it seems crazy to spend $125,000 to $150,000 on a nice MSE when there are Ovation 1s in the $150,000 to $175,000 range.......unless the additonal cost is prohibitive given a specific budget. I used to fly a Cirrus SR22, and the 300 hsp engine for climb is real nice, and the ability to fly high is always an option. I had the Cirrus up to 16,000 with no problem, the MSE is very hard to get to 10,000 in the summer unless lightly loaded. (And no way is a Cirrus an option for me, once you fly a Mooney it is hard to fly something else).

So I am trying to determine what additional cost I can expect by owning an Ovation as compared to a MSE. Fuel burn, engine reserve and insurance are easy to calculate. It seems the responses in this thread indicate that the additonal maintenance is not significant, of course any plane can, and will, have that surprise annual.

An old J is perhaps the best value in aviation, good speed, fuel burn, mx, insurance, etc.....

[KSMooniac]

I think you've talked yourself into an Ovation.     (don't overlook a Screamin' Eagle conversion M20S, though.)

 

RJBrown on this site used to own a Rocket, then later an MSE, but he just couldn't get over missing the Rocket power and is going back to a Rocket soon.  If you're already spoiled with 300 hp, I suspect you'll never be completely happy with a 200 hp Mooney.

[Don Scorese]

I have always wanted an Ovation, but yes, a Screamin Eagle and a Rocket will also be on the list. I had the MSE years ago when Ovations were significanlty more expensive, but it is starting to get into my price range :-)

[aaronk25]

Weight makes a big difference in the mse....if full of fuel and 2 adults and bags it gets a bit sluggish on hot summer months.... You could always run it 2700 rpm, full forward prop and true at 160kts or so.