Recomendations on a M20F

[tony]

Quote: bgpilot1

Scott,

I purchased my M20F 2 years ago and transitioned from a Cherokee 140.  Did plenty of reserach and have upgraded practically everything on the plane including paint, interior, avionics (garmin 430W, instruments, engine analyzer, autopilot) as well as the generator to alternator conversion, starter and wiring.  Also, I resealed the fuel tanks myself.  If I had to do it over again, I would buy the plane with the best avionics package available and one with recently sealed fuel tanks.  Speed mods are nice but not necessary.  Same goes for paint and interior less corrosion concerns.  As with buying most older airplanes, I would budget at least 10 percent for maintenance costs to fix the unknown problems.  A good prebuy is helpful but you will always find things to fix as you learn the airplane throughout the first year.  Finding a good local mechanic who knows Mooneys is a plus.  As no plane is ever perfect - costs to consider:

$4,000 - reseal 1 tank

$2,000 - rework panel to 6 pack configuration (estimate)

$8,000 + paint

$5,000 + interior (airtex)

Sign up with AOPA for their financing and aircraft valuation tools.  Get an insurance quote from Falcon Insurance.  Remember its still a buyers market so I would guess that you can take at least 5 percent off any price before prebuy concessions.  Finally, in a perfect world, I would buy a plane from someone who is upgrading to a bigger plane or downgrading to an LSA which could be an indication that they didn't skimp on maintenance.  

PM me with questions.

Barry

[bgpilot1]

I purchased the carpet / side panels from Airtex for the F.  I believe they have the seats as well.  Check the catalogue page.

Barry

[Shadrach]

Tony,

Airtex seperates it's M20X interior bits as 1955-64 and 1965 and later. They have what you need... 

[Hank]

I sent you a PM, and here is the thread I mentioned but didn't look for:

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=2&threadid=9

Lots of good information buried here!

[Cris]

Webspinner Here is an interesting article on the Mooney F from Aviation Consumer http://www.skymachines.com/N3272F/Mooney_M20_Review.pdf

[Mac201]

Webspinner, when you get your new F or before, be sure to join the SE Mooney Assoc.  Jeff who trolls here has been planning some fun fly-ins.  I think the next one is the pancake breakfast in Gainsville, GA in July.  Good luck in your search.  As previously mentioned, Joey Cole at RMG is probably one of your most knowledgable on Monney's in this area.

[SMcGillivray]

Hi webspinner.

I have a 1976 M20F for sale.

3500 TTAF

975SMOH

Nice and straight with all the LASAR mods except the smooth belly. I pm'd you and I would be more than happy to give you all the details. 

Sean

[KSMooniac]

This looks promising:

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20F/1967-MOONEY-M20F/1205441.htm?

[jetdriven]

that is a nice looking, well equipped aircraft.

[Becca]

Quote: webspinner

That's a bit more comforting. Looking at flightaware and myairplane.com, it looks like this plane was in Mass. just over a month ago and was sold through: http://www.nafsinc.com/sales/index.html to the company here in Georgia that owns it now. Interesting.

Although, it may not still be available when I am ready to buy in 2 to 3 months. 

Anyone had experience with DLK aviation in Kennesaw, GA? (for pre-buy)

[pontus]

Hello:

I transitioned from a 172 to a M20F seven months ago. I am very happy with the performance. I looked at many planes and always came back to the Mooney. I needed a travel plane with good economy and speed. The J model was recomended by everyone I talked to. I found that the F model was  a much better choice. I cruise at 8000 at 150-156 knots. I think that is great. I recomend  a very detailed pre-buy inspection and expect the various pumps and systems to need repair. Mine is a 76 and it seemed like everything needed some kind of service. Also try and buy one that already has most of the mods you want. Mine had several small mods and is still quite fast. I will upgrade the interior put a GPS in it and one of those Arctic Air Real air conditioners(I live in Florida). Once you get things sorted out you will love flying the Mooney.

 

 

[Becca]

Quote: webspinner

Hello all,

Allow me to introduce myself. I started flying about 12 years ago, and earned my PPL 6 years ago (it took so long do to age restrictions... had to wait to turn 17).

I have about 330 hours, which includes complex, gliders, insturment (hood and actual... almost finished my rating)

My wife and I have discussed this, and we believe we are ready to buy a plane. After years of reading, a Mooney seemed like a no brainer (anything but another 172!). Last weekend we drove to a local rental place that has an m20J I'm going to plan on building 10 hours of time in before buying.

I believe an m20f will be the best option for us. We would like to take friends on trips, and after having a third person sit in the back with my wife up front in the J model, I cannot immagine that working too well with a plane 10 inches shorter. In addition, I would much prefer a fuel injected engine.

Any tips, insight, or information would be much appreciated... and feel free to PM me if you know of an m20f for sale!

I have so far looked at the following options for planes currently on the market. I am in no hurry, so if none of these suit our needs, we will wait until something better pops up.

http://www.lasar.com/w/id/106/new-plane-details.asp#interestform

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20F/1970-MOONEY-M20F/1194061.htm?

http://www.learstevensaviation.com/aircraft_inventory_1967_Mooney_M20F_N645OQ.html

http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Mooney/1968_Mooney_M20F_Exec_21/33478.htm

http://www.aircraftdealer.com/aircraft_for_sale_detail/Mooney/1967_Mooney_M20F_Executive_-_201_Mods_-_Nice!!!!!/29990.htm

- Scott