I have seen that Mooney

[stormflyer]

I was thinking how valuable it would be to have a Forum that would provide MooneySpace members a resource for Mooney's that are for sale and have been seen, have had a pre buy, or have personal knowledge of the airplane.  Good and bad!

I recently, two days ago, went to see a M20K in Delaware that is for sale.  I passed on the purchase.  And, in spite of having two locals, one a pilot and one a mechanic, telling me how wonderful this Mooney was ... my experience was utter disappointment and disbelief.  

Looking for an airplane to buy is often an expensive proposition, just like ownership.

I just keep thinking to myself that if only someone on MooneySpace had seen this airplane and had posted photos or their honest assessment after seeing the airplane, I could have saved money and we could save others looking for an M20K a lot of money too.

I belonged to the Grumman Gang when I owned my Grumman several years ago and we always had volunteers, fellow pilots and aviation friends who would do a "First Look" for us if they happen to be close to the airplane we were interested in.

Perhaps the moderators would consider such a Forum to help all of us.

With that being said  if anyone is looking at N231FG in Delaware, I will be happy to discuss and share photos.  I also have the Aero-Space Reports on the airplane ($95).  

All the best!

 

 

 

[Yetti]

I have considered putting together a online Database of Mooneys.   There are members that will go and check out a plane for you.   Just ask.

[MBDiagMan]

From my experience with this forum, registering, introducing yourself and describing the prospective purchase and location, will draw an encyclopedias worth of information.  I did this when I found 7889P hangared on the field in Kerrville.  I did not initially list the N number for fear that it might put someone else onto the plane.  In other cases, it might be best to initially list the tailnumber as you propose in order to seek information about the plane. When I came to the forum seeking information, I was welcomed with open arms.  I found someone to prebuy and all kinds of help.  Maybe a database as you propose would work well, but I think you will find an amazing amount of helpful information here just using the forum as it is.

My $0.02,

[Marauder]

34 minutes ago, stormflyer said:

I was thinking how valuable it would be to have a Forum that would provide MooneySpace members a resource for Mooney's that are for sale and have been seen, have had a pre buy, or have personal knowledge of the airplane.  Good and bad!

I recently, two days ago, went to see a M20K in Delaware that is for sale.  I passed on the purchase.  And, in spite of having two locals, one a pilot and one a mechanic, telling me how wonderful this Mooney was ... my experience was utter disappointment and disbelief.  

Looking for an airplane to buy is often an expensive proposition, just like ownership.

I just keep thinking to myself that if only someone on MooneySpace had seen this airplane and had posted photos or their honest assessment after seeing the airplane, I could have saved money and we could save others looking for an M20K a lot of money too.

I belonged to the Grumman Gang when I owned my Grumman several years ago and we always had volunteers, fellow pilots and aviation friends who would do a "First Look" for us if they happen to be close to the airplane we were interested in.

Perhaps the moderators would consider such a Forum to help all of us.

With that being said  if anyone is looking at N231FG in Delaware, I will be happy to discuss and share photos.  I also have the Aero-Space Reports on the airplane ($95).  

All the best!

 

 

 

Sorry to hear about the experience. There are a number of us in the mid-Atlantic area. Didn't even know you were looking at a plane nearby. If I had seen a posted thread about needing help, one of us could have certainly taken a look at this plane. Where was it based?

[stormflyer]

Summit Aviation

[Marauder]

Summit Aviation

That’s in Dan’s and my backyard. We could have looked at it for you. Sorry.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[stormflyer]

I should have asked.

Thank you very much!

 

[apenney]

Curious to know more about N231FG.  I'm not currently looking but when I was last year, I was in communication with the owner and traded a few emails.  I didn't proceed because of the recent flight times and also I stumbled across my current plane which was a little less of a mystery at the time.

[N201MKTurbo]

I heard there is a 231 with a run out engine and old avionics inTucson available for a reasonable price.

[steingar]

I already did this for a member, who was jonesing to look at an aircraft I had already seen and roundly rejected.

[PBones]

StormFlyer, Can you send me the pics of that Mooney in DE that you did not buy? What was the turn off for you with that plane? I have an opportunity to buy that plane but do not want to travel there if  it is a basket case of some sort. A mechanic told me it had a 1.5hr rebuilt engine done 6 years ago then sealed up. Anything you can add would help. Thanks Perry

[natdm]

Sounds like you mean vinwiki but for planes. There'd be zero money in it but the kind of idea I'd help support.

[Paul Thomas]

43 minutes ago, PBones said:

StormFlyer, Can you send me the pics of that Mooney in DE that you did not buy? What was the turn off for you with that plane? I have an opportunity to buy that plane but do not want to travel there if  it is a basket case of some sort. A mechanic told me it had a 1.5hr rebuilt engine done 6 years ago then sealed up. Anything you can add would help. Thanks Perry

Welcome to the forum PBones. You may want to tag members when you want their attention. @stormflyer

[MikeOH]

Keep in mind he last visited in December 2024.

His response might take some time....

[jeremyc209]

On 7/23/2018 at 12:28 PM, stormflyer said:

I recently, two days ago, went to see a M20K in Delaware that is for sale.  I passed on the purchase.  And, in spite of having two locals, one a pilot and one a mechanic, telling me how wonderful this Mooney was ... my experience was utter disappointment and disbelief.  

This is the problem with that idea. 

Even posting my plane here with a couple pictures I had members showing up to theory craft on how much of a deathtrap it was. (it isn't) You'll get the full spectrum of opinions on every aircraft you invite them on.

I've thought about doing the same thing with a website where people register and can upload actual, paid prebuys of planes, but that would no doubt piss off a ton of people. 

In the end it seems the best option is always finding a competent and trusted mechanic to do your first look (if you aren't able) and prebuy. I ended up buying a plane that was within driving distance to me because I wanted to thoroughly look it over myself before sending it off for a prebuy.

[Aaviationist]

On 6/23/2025 at 12:09 PM, jeremyc209 said:

This is the problem with that idea. 

Even posting my plane here with a couple pictures I had members showing up to theory craft on how much of a deathtrap it was. (it isn't) 

Well, let’s be clear what happened. You posted an aircraft you bought,(with a questionable prebuy if I remember correctly) which you said spent its entire life inside, but had highly corroded parts that clearly had spent a significant period of time outside. You were getting multiple pints of water in your tanks as a result and from the images there were a few other items that needed correcting. 

You then posted images that showed a slap on paint job, that was done questionably at best followed by a cable that had clearly been unplugged for a while and painted over.

you were encouraged to have someone knowledgeable look over your airplane carefully, as it did not appear to be what you (and the original owner) said it was. Advice you ignored. 

just so we have the history.  And yes, that much water in fuel has killed several if not many. 

Edited July 2 by Aaviationist

[Andy95W]

Did it take you two weeks to compose your answer, or were you just angrier than normal yesterday morning?

Edited July 3 by Andy95W

[MikeOH]

5 hours ago, Andy95W said:

Did it take you two weeks to compose your answer, or were you just angrier than normal yesterday morning?

Post of the week, right there!

[jeremyc209]

On 7/2/2025 at 5:17 AM, Aaviationist said:

just so we have the history.

[Aaviationist]

6 hours ago, Andy95W said:

Did it take you two weeks to compose your answer, or were you just angrier than normal yesterday morning?

I have things to do in life. I can’t spend my entire existence on the computer writing messages about mooneys all day. 
 

sometimes it takes a minute to catch up. 

[MikeOH]

34 minutes ago, Aaviationist said:

sometimes it takes a minute to catch up. 

Take all the time you want; say, 2+ years would be fine.

[Aaviationist]

57 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Take all the time you want; say, 2+ years would be fine.

Is that about how long you have left?  I expected based on your comments you’re a crusty, old, cheap, stubborn, curmudgeon, and even though I don’t like you I’d hope you have longer than that!

Edited July 3 by Aaviationist

[DCarlton]

On 6/23/2025 at 9:09 AM, jeremyc209 said:

This is the problem with that idea. 

Even posting my plane here with a couple pictures I had members showing up to theory craft on how much of a deathtrap it was. (it isn't) You'll get the full spectrum of opinions on every aircraft you invite them on.
 

I agree.  You'll get a wide range of opinions depending on the background of the individuals.  Some folks will see a touch of corrosion on a 50 year old airplane and go off the rails; others will see a discrepancy that needs to be eventually addressed.  I've noticed that the folks on MS are very careful about not trashing someone else's airplane unless the original poster asks for opinions.  That's the way it should be.  Now if you've got a fully restored late 60s show plane that's selling for $250K, I'd say put a expert team on it and pick it apart.