Looking for my Mooney

[netPilot]

Long post, but would be very interested in others opinions.

 

Private Pilot [student - low time]

 

Representative typical mission(s):

(GPS direct per aeroplanner.com)

HND to TOA 204.7 NM 

HND to RAL 166.2 NM

HND to SMO 201.2 NM

Rare, but occasional mission (maybe once every 12-24 months)

HND to OUN 864 NM

 

Passenger profile:

140 lbs pilot

110 lbs PAX1

 40 lbs PAX2

290 lbs total (increasing as child grows up)

Baggage:

Light < 100 lbs (we fly single carry ons when we go commercial already)

 

Considering M20C (early vintage)

- manual gear

- manual flaps

 

Ideal scenario:

- solid well kept airframe (all logs)

- solid low-to-midtime engine (reputable shop for last OH)

- minimal damage history (well documented proper repair)

- all (or most) available speed mods

- 201 windshield

- 201 cowl mod

- 201 windtips with nav lights (and strobes, but nav is good enough)

- modern-ish panel (even if avionics need updating)

- decent paint and interior (can be oldish, just not a mess)

 

Which I will buy, then as time and resources allow, in order:

- update panel and avionics

- new paint

- new interior

- Engine OH at TBO

 

I plan to keep whatever I buy for many years (10-20+)

 

Has anyone seen any early M20C/E models along these lines?

What should I expect to pay for such a plane in today's market?

 

I have found a 1962 M20C that meets almost all of the listed criteria, but we're early in the discussion with the owner and waiting for logs/paperwork for review.  We'll be going with a pre-buy on whatever aircraft we decide to pursue.

 

Misc issue with the M20C (62-64 models):

- small rear window

Trying to decide if this is a big deal or not.  I like them both ways, but I think I like the larger squared windows better.  Wife likes the smaller old-style windows.

 

Thanks in advance!

[scottfromiowa]

Having bought an older '66 my only regret was NOT buying an updated panel.  I have made a lot of progress, but avionics are EXPENSIVE and budgeting for a re-do is a big drain and doing it a litlle at a time...is a BIG PAIN.  Cowl closure vs. a 201 cowl can be done any time...201 windshield is key.  Make sure tanks are WELL SEALED with documentation in an older C/E they will likely leak if they aren't already...if they haven't been sealed ($8500 to do).  If you fly out west you will like E (so I have heard)...Wingtips are NICE to look at, but really NOT a must have at purchase.  Most older C's and E's do NOT have this mod.  I love manual gear and flaps.  Make sure that Service Bulletin on cabin tubes has been completed and is documented in logs...For your mission either a C or E will work well...although if I had to do again a mid 80's 201 can be had for high 90's to low 100's with EVERYTHING YOU WANT at a price I could NOT find when I bought my E...Think about the J you won't be disappointed and once you do all you want you will be in J territory anyway...Just my thoughts.  Have fun!

[Comatose]

I just three weeks ago bought almost exactly what you're describing:

66C model, all logs, airframe is in okay shape. No crash damage, but one major (and extensively documented) corrosion repair in the wing a couple decades ago.

450 SMOH (Zephyr) 4100 hours total

Manual everything.

ARI cowl closure, 201 windshield, reorganized panel, flap, aileron and tail seals. No wingtips (would have loved them)

Paint and interior are both mid-80s, cloth interior, unremarkable but servicable.

Michel radios (nasty cheap things, one is flakey, plan to replace). PC,  Accu-trak and Accu-flite autopilot. GX-55 gps. Vernier throttle, prop and mixture.

2006 O&N fuel bladders. New prop in 2007

I paid $47,300 for it when all was said and done.

I bought it a week before my checkride, and insured it with a still-wet PPL.  I paid $2200 for insurance for this year, and have to do 25 hours dual before I can carry pax. I just see this as a purchase cost, like the pre-buy, but it's there.

They're out there. I was looking for about six months before I found this one. I'm figuring on putting a 430W into it this winter, but don't plan any other improvements.

[KLRDMD]

A friend of mine has an airplane for sale that is pretty close to what you're looking for. It isn't advertised anywhere except for a web site I put up for him:

1966 E model

[GeorgePerry]

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=2&threadid=9

This thread will answer most of your questions.  As for price, you typically get what you pay for.

[netPilot]

 

scottfromiowa

I hear you about the avionics, I have priced out my ideal package when I do upgrade and I can live with the expense - having the airplane itself out of the way.  Good tip on the tanks!  On the older planes (in my price range), the mods seem to make both a performance AND visual impact, I really like the wingtip mod which I've been told are all but impossible to find now.

 

Comatose

Good to know that it is possible to find what I am looking for.  Congrats on your plane!  I just finished my FAA Written Monday, solo'd a little over a week ago.  Hopefully I'll be done with my Private by late August work/weather permitting.

 

KLRDMD

Thx for the link, I'll check it out.

 

GeorgePerry

Same same, thx for the link - I have read and re-read that thread many times over the past few weeks, very informative.

 

[tablor]

I think somewhere in mid '65 they made some major upgrades to the E.  I had a '64 and I can tell you I won't go back to a cowl with that many screws.  My current '66 E has 1/4 turn fasteners for the cowling and they are worth their weight in gold for doing any maintenance.  An E model after serial 1181 (or sometimes seen 21-1181) has a number of notable changes.

[DaV8or]

If you have your heart set on the wing tip mod, don't get a Mooney with the "twisted" or "bent" wing. It is found on the '67-68 F ('66 in my case!) and '68 G I believe. They experimented with improving the stall charateristics by turning the tips down a little bit. To the untrained eye, you can't really tell. I guess it really didn't do anything and it was more expensive to build, so by '69 they quit and went back to the original. Small number of planes built = no sexy wing tips.