Looking for my money

[Thunder669]

Hope I am not driving you guys nuts with my multitude of recent posts, just excited to finally be making this life long dream come true. I now have my preapproval and financing in place and ready to be a buyer. So help me search guys. I am looking to spend around $50k. I would prefer an F model to give the kids a bit more room in the backseat but not complete against a nicely equipped E model. I am looking to get my instrument and do some real world cross country going to get my daughter so would really like an autopilot. Obviously no corrosion and bank requires no damage history. I would like atleast a mid time or less engine in it. Not as particular about the paint and interior as I can always upgrade and personalize that later. Main thing is mechanically sound and current annual and IFR and no airworthiness issues. Also a recent seal of the tanks would be nice. Thanks again for all your help and look forward to meeting many of you in person once I have my bird( hopefully at Oshkosh this year)

[scottfromiowa]

That thread title is spot on regarding what you should be looking to have a lot of BEFORE looking for a Mooney...

[Thunder669]

Well I have spent a lot of time looking for the money, now to add the other o and get my MOONEY lol.

[KSMooniac]

Obviously no corrosion and bank requires no damage history.

 

If this is true, you should be prepared to wait a very, very long time.  You might need some clarification with the bank about what constitutes damage history in their mind.  You're looking for a 40-50 year old plane, and the odds of finding one with absolutely no damage history will not be in your favor.  For instance, what if someone pushed it too far into a hangar and crunched an elevator?  It now has damage history, even if the elevator was replaced with a new one.  Or of course there is a gear-up landing... lots of planes have them.  Typically it does very little damage to a Mooney, and often they come out better after repairs with a new prop and a 1-piece belly panel.  It is still damage history, though.

 

You're on the right track to get the best airframe you can find, though.  I just want you to get the no damage history requirement squared-away with the bank first.  

 

Good luck!

[Hank]

Often a good C is hard to beat! Good combination of useful load, speed and fuel burn, often a great deal for your money.

Whatever you end up with, get a pre-purchase inspection from a knowledgable A&P.

[N252WD]

You can call Jimmy and David, I'm sure they can help find the plane for you.

[gsxrpilot]

+1 for Jimmy and David. Just get yourself a flight to San Antonio and go see them.  Just make sure you've got your banker standing by on speed dial.

[manoflamancha]

You can easily find a nice M20F or C model for that price range.

[Mooney_Driver]

Sent you a PM...

[DaV8or]

Whatever you end up with, get a pre-purchase inspection from a knowledgable A&P.

 

Not just any A&P either. One with real Mooney knowledge, not just "Oh, I've worked on those before..." I mean like Mooney Service Center type knowledge. Depending on where your PPI is to be preformed in the country, people here will have recommendations. Don't just pick the local guy because it is easy.

 

Use the search function here and look up the threads titled "Here's to the mother F***in FAA" and also "Just learned my C is junk". They are good examples of what can go wrong without a good PPI.

[manoflamancha]

Find a Mooney Service center to do the prebuy or A&P with Mooney experience.