Advise on buying my first Mooney

[MyNameIsNobody]

Pretty funny. A guy with MPG talks up Commanche over Mooney.

Change your name to HP400

[JKSmith]

I find it funny that people on a mooney group would recommend a commanche. They must be better airplanes than I thought

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[JKSmith]

I'm thinking save up for a better down payment and buy a nice 201.

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[chrisk]

I find it funny that people on a mooney group would recommend a commanche. They must be better airplanes than I thought

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For me it came down to a Comanche or Mooney.  Safety statistics from AOPA, having a company that still supports the plane, the plane still being in production (or not too long out of production,depending one when you look), continuing AD's, and finding mechanics with good experience in the type were all things that went into my decision.  I obviously went with the Mooney.

[ArtVandelay]

I find it funny that people on a mooney group would recommend a commanche. They must be better airplanes than I thought

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Because they're fast, 180k cruise, but comes at a cost: 19gph

Almost 1500lbs of useful load, but carrying full tanks you are down to about 700.

Mooneys are far more efficient, choose what's important to you.

[Hank]

Wow!! That makes my C look even better--140 knots at 9 gph with full fuel useful load of 690 lb.

[JKSmith]

I'd say in the end I would rather be efficient, if I was flying for work and planned to carry people with luggage all the time everywhere I went then a commanche would be more desirable. Since I try to do what I can to keep my costs down a mooney is still the best option to me.

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[MyNameIsNobody]

A lot of recurring AD's on Commanche. Trickey to land. Fuel burn. I looked at the 250, but got the plane I felt did my mission better-M20E. With mods the Commanche is a neat looking plane...in a Mooney kind of way.

Missile vs. Commanche 400...Missile wins with a newer airframe.

[JKSmith]

Hey guys I bought the ole bird! 

[Zwaustin]

Congrats on your new plane!! 

[bonal]

Fantastic news, tell us more

[JKSmith]

18 hours ago, bonal said:

Fantastic news, tell us more

I bought her from my father in law, it had 4037.0 total airframe time and 350+\- Hours on the new motor so that's a awesome plus. She sat for around 2 years after he bought his piper Saratoga. I've had the normal dry rot issues with some tires and some hoses, overall it's a excellent Mooney! I've put 36 hours on it in the past 6 months 

Edited June 11, 2016 by JKSmith

[Yetti]

OH Look you got the unicorn mooney.... :-)   I think mine is probably a couple months older than yours

[JKSmith]

Yea I think mine is number 51 

[Marauder]

I looked up you N number JK. I think your F is a 1974. Yetti's, Guitarman, mine a few others are 1975 Fs. One way to tell is the panel. Ours came with the big yokes and a panel that looks like an early 201.

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[JKSmith]

6 hours ago, Marauder said:

 

I looked up you N number JK. I think your F is a 1974. Yetti's, Guitarman, mine a few others are 1975 Fs. One way to tell is the panel. Ours came with the big yokes and a panel that looks like an early 201.

 

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Yes it is a 74 here's a pic of my panel. Well some of it any

[carusoam]

One question....

does your wife fly...?

Best regards,

-a-

[JKSmith]

9 hours ago, Marauder said:

 

59 minutes ago, carusoam said:

One question....

does your wife fly...?

Best regards,

-a-

She likes to ride. But I'm going to have her go up with my instructor a few times to get comfortable with the mooney just in case things go south on my end  

[carusoam]

Take a look into right seat ready... To help with the Mooney specific orientation.

Best regards,

-a-

[JKSmith]

Thanks a lot! That looks awesome! 

[kris_adams]

On 6/10/2016 at 9:15 PM, JKSmith said:

Hey guys I bought the ole bird! 

Congrats!

[steingar]

Congrats to the OP on the new Mooney.  I did one trip in a friend's 260 Comanche.  Cavernous interior, and fast.  But thirsty.