Pre Buy Recommendation - Northern California

[MisfitSELF]

Apologies if this has recently been asked or is tribal knowledge, but I'm looking for recommendations for a pre-buy mechanic in the Northern California area.  I'm specially interested in a Mooney being sold by Skywagons at Placerville.

 

Thanks.

 

Bruce

[bonal]

Lake Aero Styling (Lakeport) and Top Gun (Stockton) are both Mooney shops and close by

[jrwilson]

On the field, hang town aviation.  They work on quite a few mooneys, mine included.  Call Brandon 707-410-8624

[jrwilson]

I'm based there at pvf too, so if you need eyes on a plane or some pics, I can help. I'm going up there tomorrow...

[bradp]

You looking at the 201 or the rocket listed?

 

[MisfitSELF]

I'm looking at the 1980 201.  I called Lake Aero today to get a rough quote and was astonished by the cost of a pre buy.  Other forums tell you it'll be around 600-700.  They were near 1700 to 1800 dollars and 15 hours of labor.  Is this really typical and my expectations wrong?  Also I'd have to get the aircraft to them.  Seems like this could get awkward, especially if they determine that there's airworthiness issues with the aircraft .

Edited May 20, 2016 by MisfitSELF

[carusoam]

Study up on what a PPI does and doesn't do...

the cost is like buying insurance.  You spend the money and hope to never use it.  In this case you spend the money to determine there is not going to be other worse expenses...

the buyer is in control of what gets done.  But, finding AW issues are what it is about.  It will be awkward.  But that is what you are doing it for.

it would be more awkward if you were to buy it then find out it has AW issues.

Know what is included in your PPI.  $600 isn't going to cover every system on a current Long Body Mooney.  How many systems can you afford to skip?

The benefits include turning the PPI into an annual that will last a year.

I am only a PP, not plane buyer or salesman.

Best regards,

-a-

[Bennett]

LASAR pre buys are thorough. Aircraft ownership is expensive, but finding out about an aircraft's deficiencies after purchasing an aircraft is truly expensive. In my opinion you pay now, or pay more later. A really well done pre-buy inspection, finding (repairable) problems can give you a basis for negotiating a lower purchase price. And if they find really disastrous problems, than all you are out financially is the costs associated with the pre-buy. That would be the best money you would have spent in aviation. This is also true in the marine world. I have had surveys made on boats I was interested in, found unrevealed damage, and walked away from the potential sale.

I agree that LASAR is off the beaten path at Lampson Field, but those of us who regularly use LASAR for maintenance and annuals often arrange helping one another to pick up and drop off our aircraft. LASAR does have a very competent ferry pilot if you are willing to pay the costs.