Thinking about buying

[Skates97]

48 minutes ago, TylerB said:

I’d agree with that. What would you think a solid well-maintained airframe with a mid time engine and decent P&I would be (assuming a basic, original panel)?

 

When I was shopping I made a spreadsheet and listed all of the C-F models that were on the market, (Controller, Barnstormers, Trade-A-Plane, plus a few others). It included the asking price, any drops in the price over the weeks/months, personal ratings of interior/paint/etc on a scale of 1-10, Airframe/Engine/Prop time, listing of avionics, location, and link to the ad. Over the course of about six months I think I got a good feel for the market and ended up with a plane that I have been very happy with. It wasn't everything on my wish list but it was a lot of it, fit my budget, and has taken me all over the Southwest for the last 16 months. 

[MyNameIsNobody]

56 minutes ago, TylerB said:

 

I’d agree with that. What would you think a solid well-maintained airframe with a mid time engine and decent P&I would be (assuming a basic, original panel)?

 

Honesty, what I think doesn’t matter.  The market (supply and demand) and of course options (perceived value) dictate the price.  Geography, Location, location, location and how motivated is the owner or family to sell.  Data Point.  I paid just under $60k when I bought my plane over a decade ago.  I brought the hanger queen back from the dead and now have a reliable dispatch airframe.  I would not sell my E for $70k and she doesn’t have a new paint job or a 430w or an S-Tec.  They are where you find ‘em.  They have often led a tough life or portion of their lives suffering benign neglect.  Find one that has been flying regularly and you are ahead of me in the game of Mooney roulette.  Like gambling Mooney ownership is exciting, addictive, satisfying, painful and expensive.  A worthy pursuit.  Enjoy the hunt, but be wise or wealthy or both.

[TylerB]

That’s just it. When you do find planes with these dream sheet equipment lists at bargain basement prices it is for a reason, and that is almost always because they are installed in neglected ramp queens that aren’t a good deal at any price. 
Consistent TLC, operation, and hangarage are the best defenses against the ravages of time and corrosion, and the baseline to build from when 50-year-old used airplane shopping. Not minimum equipment lists, unless of course you are shopping at the very “top of the market” for your particular model.  
Everything after that can always be added later, admittedly at significantly greater expense than if you had been fortunate enough to find exactly the equipment you are looking for already installed and had been willing or able to pay for it up front.
 

I totally agree and that’s why I’m looking for a well maintained airframe. The overall goal is to keep operational costs down. What the other decision would be is if I see one that also has some good panel upgrades for more, do I do that now and forgo the Dynon HDX.



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[Marauder]

Quite honestly, it is challenging to find a plane that has been maintained, is equipped well and is cheap. I would not trade off condition & maintenance history for a new paint job or great avionics. First and foremost, the airframe needs to be solid and clean. Then you should be looking for evidence the plane has been maintained on a regular basis. After that it is looking for the stuff you want in a plane. And that is where the challenge is. If you find all 3, likely it is priced outside your price range. And maybe the right decision is to wait until you can afford more.




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