Austintatious Posted March 25, 2019 Report Share Posted March 25, 2019 (edited) I am getting real close to purchasing a Mooney rocket. So many things to consider. I am excited to get my hands on it but there is always that little voice in the back of the head making me overthink everything and wonder if I have picked the right bird. I would think this would be normal considering it is a large purchase... but there have been some special circumstances with this purchase that are likely not typical. So I am curious if others have had these nerves prior to close. For the curious among you, here are some details of the purchase ( with no personal details): THE GOOD: Purchase price is very competitive. Engine is essentially 80 hours since overhaul by Continental. 80 hours on the new prop and 80 on the new Rocket Exhaust. as part of the agreement a new Garmin 345 ADS-B transponder is being installed The acft will have a fresh annual from a MSC at close. Will have a fresh O2 bottle hydro All new rubber shocks THE BAD: The acft has damage history and the wing was repaired, poorly. That poor repair is being remedied at a MSC prior to close. Acft has some light hail damage and will need paint. All in all after addressing the hail damage and putting on new paint, I think it will be a really nice aircraft to scoot around in. Edited March 25, 2019 by Austintatious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy0681 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 It's not the initial purchase price that you have to worry about but the ongoing maintenance. If you don't have the temperament for an out of the blue $3,000 repair (for example), then think it over. But if you can handle it, then proudly write the check. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on and a sport (or is it a hobby?) that not many Earthlings get to do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragsf15e Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Yep, nerves are normal there. Be involved with the wing repair and annual. Ask questions. Make sure every bit of known damage is repaired to your satisfaction. You’ll be upset without recourse when you find it later. You already know you’ll find other $$ things to fix later - welcome to aircraft ownership! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Peace Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, flyboy0681 said: It's not the initial purchase price that you have to worry about but the ongoing maintenance. I know I am an outlier but I bet I spend just as much if not more throughout the year on MX as the annual...... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 When your plane cost as much as your house... there is reason to have some nervousness... There is more than cost involved... To relieve some of the nerves..... You do the best you can with what you have... The Best PPI the Best TT Always use extra planning Minimize risk, constantly.... After all that, Enjoy! Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatlin Gun Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Austintatious said: So I am curious if others have had these nerves prior to close. I JUST closed and flew my new Rocket home... It was stressful, and to be honest, I'm excited but overthink everything about the plane (especially when I now am focusing on the little, will-need-to-fix-eventually things). But remember, no house/person/beer/spouse/thing/plane is perfect. You just have to make sure the negatives don't take away from the positives, then enjoy every freakin hour flying it! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yetti Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 They really are so much funner than those other brands. And even better when it is yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonal Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 We bought ours before we discovered Mooney Space so there was nothing to worry about. 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsxrpilot Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Of the things you mention both good and bad, the purchase price and damage history are probably the things I care least about when purchasing a Mooney. When comparing Mooneys, I'd rather pay more and get more as that's always cheaper in the long run. And this applies to deferred maintenance and/or upgrades. (comparing two of the same model) And regarding damage history, if it's repaired right, it's no issue and probably better than new, and if not repaired correctly, it's a deal breaker. I'm glad you're getting yours done right before closing. But it sounds like you've got a great airplane, and it's hard to find anyone who doesn't like their Rocket. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy0681 Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said: And regarding damage history, if it's repaired right, it's no issue and probably better than new, and if not repaired correctly, it's a deal breaker. I'm glad you're getting yours done right before closing. Very much a true statement. Since our wing repair the plane is flying better than ever before and not only is it properly rigged, we are seeing a knot or two more in speed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 14 hours ago, Austintatious said: I am getting real close to purchasing a Mooney rocket. So many things to consider. I am excited to get my hands on it but there is always that little voice in the back of the head making me overthink everything and wonder if I have picked the right bird. I would think this would be normal considering it is a large purchase... but there have been some special circumstances with this purchase that are likely not typical. So I am curious if others have had these nerves prior to close. For the curious among you, here are some details of the purchase ( with no personal details): THE GOOD: Purchase price is very competitive. Engine is essentially 80 hours since overhaul by Continental. 80 hours on the new prop and 80 on the new Rocket Exhaust. as part of the agreement a new Garmin 345 ADS-B transponder is being installed The acft will have a fresh annual from a MSC at close. Will have a fresh O2 bottle hydro All new rubber shocks THE BAD: The acft has damage history and the wing was repaired, poorly. That poor repair is being remedied at a MSC prior to close. Acft has some light hail damage and will need paint. All in all after addressing the hail damage and putting on new paint, I think it will be a really nice aircraft to scoot around in. To answer your topic header: No, I was too stupid to be nervous. I would just be really thorough on the understanding of what you are buying. Don't get too enamored with paint, pretty interior or avionics. Just make sure the plane has been maintained and no big surprises come out of the woodwork. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradp Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 If you're not nervous you're either really experienced in buying and selling airplanes @KLRDMD or something is wrong. Due diligence is the name of the game. Do make sure that there are no other 337s floating out there... which MSC are you using? They are not all equally good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Peace Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 4 hours ago, bradp said: which MSC are you using? They are not all equally good. This ^^^^^^^^ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinwing Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Hail damage?That is my only concern...I assume most visible on light guage control surfaces?Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austintatious Posted March 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 1 minute ago, thinwing said: Hail damage?That is my only concern...I assume most visible on light guage control surfaces?Congrats yes and the top of the fuse... The worst of it is definitely on the control surfaces... We are negotiating fixing this with either replacement ailerons or re skinning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austintatious Posted March 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 7 hours ago, bradp said: which MSC are you using? They are not all equally good. Don Maxwell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinwing Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 Exactly...not allowable to fill dents on ailerons/elevators... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinwing Posted March 26, 2019 Report Share Posted March 26, 2019 The best 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradp Posted March 27, 2019 Report Share Posted March 27, 2019 The more equally better MSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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