Move up to a 201 from an E ??

[Marauder]

Well, I think you guys have succeeded in getting my finger off the trigger for the time being. To make my original post more clear, the 201 is a comfort thing for me. I do like stuff like an auto pilot, better layout of the instruments, maybe quieter, a little faster, better ride and just an overall newer airplane. I'm sure I will continue to be a vulnerable target for a super deal on a 201 but that is a good position to be in these days.

Keep in mind that most of the later model C, E and F model have modern panels. My 1975 panel looked just like a 1977 J.

[nels]

You just need to modify your desire...How about "Man, if/when they dig up one of those Spits buried in Phillipines...I am getting me one!"

How about that?

Scott, Sounds like a great dream but I'm a realist, I think.

I thought my definition of comfort was pretty straight forward. Maybe I could add that I would like the wife to be happy too. She is prone to motion sickness which dictates a better ride.

[scottfromiowa]

UMMM, not so much. So it is not-more room for pilot co-pilot, but a perceived improved "ride" in a J? I did not get that from your first post, but O.K. Good luck with that,

Scott

[rbridges]

Someone needs Al's book on their X-Mas list

 

haha, you know us georgia boys can't read.

[Hank]

Mid-bodies added room to baggage and back seat leg room.

 

Long bodies added more space to baggage, and in front of the firewall due to the two additional cylinders. There may be some non-usable space added between the cockpit and tail, too, I don't recall.

 

They are called "long bodies" because they are so much l-o-n-g-e-r than the rest of the fleet. Especially when compared to my C!   

[triple8s]

Ok here comes my two cents worth.........if you have no plane and a few dollars to spend looking for a very economical bird, the BEST all around bird as it is from Kerrville when it comes to MPG and a great IFR platform......there is no better than a J. Now that is said if a body already owns an E or a C and doesn't carry rear seat occupants on a regular basis then there are indeed a few things that are better about the J. Here are some improvements, cowling, windshield, looks(in the eyes of the beholder) panel lay out, electric gear, electric flaps (some prefer manual), strobes, fuel injection (vs C) if hard IFR is in your plans. Ok there is a short list of advantages a J has over the C and E now that we are aware of these, we can only look at most of the vintage birds out there we notice that few don't have a few of these "J" items installed as a mod. I owned a C for 5 years and I debated trading up to an E or J and couldn't justify it. My C had the OEM J cowl and windshield, oil cooler relocated, wingtip strobes, LR tanks, one piece belly, flap gap seals, aileron seals, brake calipers reversed and almost all of the improvements made to create the J, so other than fuel injection and 20 hp i almost had a J and couldn't justify the move (not really trading up). If I had've had fuel injection I probably wouldn't have traded for the long body I have today, I still never have the rear seats filled. So in my opinion moving from a C or E to a J isn't really trading up, not because the J isn't a great airplane but because most of the short body planes already have some J mods and are also great airplanes. Another thing to think about is to trade up and get a tiny little bit better airplane you will pay a broker, or deal with selling your current bird, and pay sales tax on your new bird. So in my opinion the move up isn't much of a move up for all the cost and hassle. I know exactly how it feels to want to get a newer plane, I really do, I had a 65 C and dealt with the idea of putting money into a plane I knew I couldn't get out when I sell, I still wonder if I did the right thing but the decision was made and I went with it, damage done. Do I regret it? Yes and no. Do I think you should trade or sell an E and buy a J? It would depend on how much it cost to trade, and trade or no the E, C, F and J are what made Mooney aircraft company. I traded off a C that I miss every time I get to the hangar and open the door to go for a joy ride, the Ovation I have now is a bit better for trips and is definitely faster but an airplane that can give cruise speeds of 140-150 kts at 8-12000 ft with a 4 cyl lycoming is nothing short of amazing. Oh one other thing............ You only live once! Now if I've muddled the water enough I'll get back to pawnstars.

[TWinter]

I find packing to and from Oshkosh a challenge with our E. Some how we manage though..LOL.

Home safe and sound..Great trip.

[scottfromiowa]

haha, you know us georgia boys can't read.

But ya can shoot

[nels]

Ok here comes my two cents worth.........if you have no plane and a few dollars to spend looking for a very economical bird, the BEST all around bird as it is from Kerrville when it comes to MPG and a great IFR platform......there is no better than a J. Now that is said if a body already owns an E or a C and doesn't carry rear seat occupants on a regular basis then there are indeed a few things that are better about the J. Here are some improvements, cowling, windshield, looks(in the eyes of the beholder) panel lay out, electric gear, electric flaps (some prefer manual), strobes, fuel injection (vs C) if hard IFR is in your plans. Ok there is a short list of advantages a J has over the C and E now that we are aware of these, we can only look at most of the vintage birds out there we notice that few don't have a few of these "J" items installed as a mod. I owned a C for 5 years and I debated trading up to an E or J and couldn't justify it. My C had the OEM J cowl and windshield, oil cooler relocated, wingtip strobes, LR tanks, one piece belly, flap gap seals, aileron seals, brake calipers reversed and almost all of the improvements made to create the J, so other than fuel injection and 20 hp i almost had a J and couldn't justify the move (not really trading up). If I had've had fuel injection I probably wouldn't have traded for the long body I have today, I still never have the rear seats filled. So in my opinion moving from a C or E to a J isn't really trading up, not because the J isn't a great airplane but because most of the short body planes already have some J mods and are also great airplanes. Another thing to think about is to trade up and get a tiny little bit better airplane you will pay a broker, or deal with selling your current bird, and pay sales tax on your new bird. So in my opinion the move up isn't much of a move up for all the cost and hassle. I know exactly how it feels to want to get a newer plane, I really do, I had a 65 C and dealt with the idea of putting money into a plane I knew I couldn't get out when I sell, I still wonder if I did the right thing but the decision was made and I went with it, damage done. Do I regret it? Yes and no. Do I think you should trade or sell an E and buy a J? It would depend on how much it cost to trade, and trade or no the E, C, F and J are what made Mooney aircraft company. I traded off a C that I miss every time I get to the hangar and open the door to go for a joy ride, the Ovation I have now is a bit better for trips and is definitely faster but an airplane that can give cruise speeds of 140-150 kts at 8-12000 ft with a 4 cyl lycoming is nothing short of amazing. Oh one other thing............ You only live once! Now if I've muddled the water enough I'll get back to pawnstars.

I think we are on the same wavelength. "You only live once" is what I struggle with. If I don't do the J thing within the next year or so, well, then, it will never happen.

[scottfromiowa]

R.U. Dying?

[nels]

R.U. Dying?

Aren't we all.

[carusoam]

Buy your last plane first???

I'm not sure who said this or if the logic holds...

It would be great to be able to own the O for 35 years. I would need to live a very long time.

Watching the beginning of the end of the class III medical.....?

Best regards,

-a-

[cnoe]

More input from the peanut gallery here.

I partnered in an E for a year, then recently moved into a J.

My partner was great, and the E was a fun capable plane. But the J is a much more comforting cross country machine.

With the 201 I got more luggage room, more passenger (dog) room, a reliable AP, more fuel capacity, (some) more speed, a standard configuration panel, a WAAS GPS system certified for LPV approaches, easy upgrade to the ADS-B Out mandate (already done and love the full traffic picture with 3 class-B airports in my area), and a feel that the newer plane has a good bit more life left in her. Of course it could all go to hell tomorrow.

Another thing not mentioned is that when hand flying the plane the J definitely exhibits more vertical stability. The E would constantly drift up or down, particularly in warm air or with occupant movement. The J trims out flatter and stays there, which I like. Also, the J is smoother providing a less harsh ride.

What I do miss from the E was that superb accelleration on takeoff and climbout (we had a 3-blade prop too, but not on the J). The E was more responsive to the controls too. It was really fun to fly but the slower yellow arc and gear speeds were a negative. Descents in the J are in the yellow but I don't worry about busting Vne. I realize there's no significant structural difference but I just feel better not pushing airspeed limits; call me conservative.

You'd like the newer J, but I obviously have no idea whether the upgrade(?) is a good idea for you personally. And there's always the risk of getting a lemon. But for me... it was a great decision to buy the J.

[Jsavage3]

I love my J. Comfort and efficiency at it's finest. Recently upgraded the panel...WAAS GPS, autopilot with GPSS, etc...it's a beautiful thing to sit there watching the world slide by at 160 Ktas while holding my bride's hand rather than wrestling the controls for every minute. E to a J? You might consider looking for a partner to go in on a J with you. If the right partner can be found, I believe this could be the best arrangement out there...

[scottfromiowa]

Conservative...

[Bob_Belville]

Keep in mind that most of the later model C, E and F model have modern panels. My 1975 panel looked just like a 1977 J.

My '66E cruises @ 158k. Has desirable manual gear, flaps. The panel is not too shabby and the 54.4 gallons are greater endurance than the pilot.