BigAirHarper Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 I know everyone here knows the joy of plane shopping, especially when it is someone else's money. I've been checking all the typical websites weekly for months now to get an idea of the market, etc.... I'm looking at 80's M20J's with the requirement that they have a Garmin 430W/530W or better as I've read courtesy of you guys that it's cheaper to buy it that way than to install yourself. I'm looking for feedback about the plane and specific things to look out for. This is only one currently I have found that looks really appealing... http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1407837/1986-mooney-m20j-201 Log review stand outs: Wing reseal '01, avg 10-20hrs per year until current owner bought in 2011. Camshaft found corroded and MOH was done then. Since then it's been averaging about 50hrs/yr., GTN 750 installed '13. would love feedback from you experienced owners before I dive into these money pits. Thanks! Quote
Bob_Belville Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 If it's in your budget I would think this one would be worth prompt investigating. I did not notice a listing date, is it fresh? I suspect you know of our advice for a PPI and a careful investigation to what might not be mentioned in the ad. The only obvious, to me, missing equipment would be ADS-B compliance and the very nice byproduct of ADS-B -- TIS and NEXRAD which displays great on the GTN750. I own an old E and do not keep up with current market pricing but considering the nice paint and interior, the GTN750, and the fresh engine ISTM the value is there. (I would think 5 AMU is a reasonable budget for ADS-B. I like my GDL88 which might require a different xponder, not sure.) Happy hunting! Quote
mooniac15u Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 I believe the owner of that plane is on Mooneyspace. I think his username is jsavage3. Quote
KSMooniac Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 Looks like a bargain to me, and I wouldn't expect it to sit on the market long at that price. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk Quote
GeorgePerry Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 1 hour ago, BigAirHarper said: http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1407837/1986-mooney-m20j-201 I know the owner...He's a meticulous owner. If I were in the market for a very nice J, I'd buy this plane Quote
capthaak Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 1 hour ago, KSMooniac said: Looks like a bargain to me, and I wouldn't expect it to sit on the market long at that price. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk I second that emotion! Quote
BigAirHarper Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Posted January 25, 2016 2 hours ago, CaptainAB said: Have you seen this one. I saw it but was concerned with engine not having OH in 28 years... Quote
kortopates Posted January 25, 2016 Report Posted January 25, 2016 I would as well. But why not value it accordingly and make an offer if it's otherwise what you want. Then do the engine to what you want. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
kevinw Posted January 26, 2016 Report Posted January 26, 2016 The tank reseal in 5632Y is a definite plus. I have the s-tec 60 pss in my J and one thing to ask is if it has auto-trim. Mine didn't and I broke down and added it. Without it you just have to manually trim the aircraft. In level flight it's not really and issue. It's nice to have when intercepting a glide slope. If memory serves it was a $6-7K. Not a deal breaker but something to consider. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
BigAirHarper Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Posted March 8, 2016 On January 24, 2016 at 1:08 PM, KSMooniac said: Looks like a bargain to me, and I wouldn't expect it to sit on the market long at that price. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk You were right. It sold the same week I created this post…now my next finds... Quote
BigAirHarper Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Posted March 8, 2016 So still scouring the market for an M20J. Would love some opinions on these options: http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1417849/1981-mooney-m20j-201 http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1418221/1983-mooney-m20j-201 http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1413037/1992-mooney-m20j I've been looking for something in the 500SMOH range, but some of these have some excellent autopilot/avionics upgrades. I'm trying to determine which one should be tilting more towards the pros than the cons since there is such variety. Quote
gsengle Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 Me I'd buy a higher time engine anyway and do my own fresh overhaul in a couple of years... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote
PeytonM Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 3-blades on a 201 of marginal benefit. Prob some climb improvement, but some loss in cruise speed. Quote
Godfather Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 The 1981 J would be my first choice depending on engine time. Love the panel on that aircraft. The mx20 is not nearly as useful as another gtn IMO...especially with all the tablets these days. Quote
BigAirHarper Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Posted March 8, 2016 1 hour ago, PeytonM said: 3-blades on a 201 of marginal benefit. Prob some climb improvement, but some loss in cruise speed. Thanks for the input. I was wondering if there would be any performance difference. Quote
carusoam Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 3 blades are better appreciated when the engine goes towards 300hp. On a J, that would be a Missile. Best regards, -a- Quote
BigAirHarper Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Posted March 8, 2016 Just now, Godfather said: The 1981 J would be my first choice depending on engine time. Love the panel on that aircraft. The mx20 is not nearly as useful as another gtn IMO...especially with all the tablets these days. Yea the MX20 is a no factor in my book. There is some interesting info I found out concerning the logs on the '81. MOH in 2006. Then case crack in '14 leading to bottom end replacement. In '15 a top overhaul was done. 1550hrs since '06 in its present state. Quote
Bob - S50 Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 My first choice would be the first one although... I could not find how much time was on the engine. Unless you NEVER plan on putting more than 3 people in the plane, I would also ask about useful load. Could not find it for either of the first two. Did not see a price on the last one. Quote
Piloto Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 (edited) On 1/24/2016 at 0:28 PM, BigAirHarper said: I know everyone here knows the joy of plane shopping, especially when it is someone else's money. I've been checking all the typical websites weekly for months now to get an idea of the market, etc.... I'm looking at 80's M20J's with the requirement that they have a Garmin 430W/530W or better as I've read courtesy of you guys that it's cheaper to buy it that way than to install yourself. I'm looking for feedback about the plane and specific things to look out for. This is only one currently I have found that looks really appealing... http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1407837/1986-mooney-m20j-201 Log review stand outs: Wing reseal '01, avg 10-20hrs per year until current owner bought in 2011. Camshaft found corroded and MOH was done then. Since then it's been averaging about 50hrs/yr., GTN 750 installed '13. would love feedback from you experienced owners before I dive into these money pits. Thanks! Besides the G530W look that it has a good autopilot like the Century 31 or KFC150 or better. 1982 and later have the rear split seats than can be easily removed (3 min) to make a large cargo area. José Edited March 8, 2016 by Piloto Quote
BigAirHarper Posted March 8, 2016 Author Report Posted March 8, 2016 2 hours ago, Bob - S50 said: My first choice would be the first one although... I could not find how much time was on the engine. Unless you NEVER plan on putting more than 3 people in the plane, I would also ask about useful load. Could not find it for either of the first two. Did not see a price on the last one. Yea the engine is questionable. In a post above I described it but will repost here to get more opinions on the current engine situation: For 1st plane listed the 1981 one: Major overhaul in 2006. Then case crack in '14 leading to bottom end replacement. In '15 a top overhaul was done. 1550hrs since '06 in its present state. So engine has an assortment of part replacements making me question it. Now...the plane sat for 3 months after July 2015 and then has flown about 15 hrs since.... Quote
Brian Scranton Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 This one looks pretty bad ass, but its a 1992 and $150K: http://www.mooneypilots.com/sales/medlin.html Airframe TTSN 2303 Engine TSMO 181 TIO-540-AF1B Prop TSO 0 Annual 4-2015 Avionics: Garmin GMA-340 Audio panel Garmin GNS-530 WAAS Garmin 330 Transponder King KI-256 Altitude indicator King KC-525A HSI King KX-165 NAV/COM KI 202 Indicator King KR-87 ADF KI-227 Synchronized Indicator King KAP-150 Auto pilot altitude preselect King KN-62A DME OPTIONS Dual batteries Precise FLT- speedbrakes Oxygen bottle Hot prop JDI EDM 700 Engine monitor 406 - elt Dual alternators , dual vacuum pumps. Quote
Brian Scranton Posted March 8, 2016 Report Posted March 8, 2016 As does this one. And Mark is a solid fella (I bought my 182 from him): http://www.skywagons.com/_aircraft_for_sale/5816T/5816t.html Quote
jwilcoxon78 Posted March 12, 2016 Report Posted March 12, 2016 I'd go with the '81 as well if I had to choose now. However, I would likely hold out until I could find one with a GTN 750 installed. Very nice upgrade to have over a GNS series. If you're sticking with a J, I'd certainly stick with a 2 blade prop and have it dynamically balanced if it seems rough during operation. Better efficiency with a 2 blade, especially on this platform. Happy hunting! 1 Quote
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