Lowbid Posted September 8, 2011 Report Posted September 8, 2011 Does anybody have any experience (or know of anybody)...with a refurbishing company out of Ohio called Pristine Airplanes...aka...Aircraft Sales, Inc. (A.S.I.) ???? Would appreciate any feedback... Quote
flight2000 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 No experience directly, but the folks I know that have gotten planes from them have nothing but good things to say about them and their experience dealing with them. From what I understand, they are not doing everything in house and just oversee the work from the different company's before offering it up for sale. I've been tempted by a few Mooney's they've had for sale, but it's never been the right time for me (when is it...? ). They turn over inventory pretty quickly, so that should tell you something as well. Brian Quote
GeorgePerry Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 Quote: Lowbid Does anybody have any experience (or know of anybody)...with a refurbishing company out of Ohio called Pristine Airplanes...aka...Aircraft Sales, Inc. (A.S.I.) ???? Would appreciate any feedback... Quote
sixsixX Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 I have bought 2 planes from Matt , Including having him find and rebuild and design my current M20J, could not be more pleased, they are the best i have seen and have a great reputation. Quote
Lowbid Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Posted September 9, 2011 OK...thank you. I would think with today's available information over the internet, there would be some negative feedback posted somewhere if there were some unsatisfied customers. To date....I have heard and read nothing but positives. One more question for you Mooniacs...what year M20J would be your preference to refurbish. Also, assuming a guy wants a functional but not "over the top" panel; what would be your choice for Avionics? Quote
carusoam Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 It looks like "lowbid" and "pristine" are opposites. I am starting to think that "lowbid" might be a misnomer if you are seriously considering selecting an airframe and having someone restore / upgrade it. Selecting a "functional panel" requires some thought from the user. It is hard to define over-the top without knowing how you intend to use the plane. Do you consider yourself a serious IFR pilot that appreciates redundant systems? Or so you only fly VFR during the day? Are you the oldschool steam gauge guy (like me)? Or are you an electronics whiz who likes the latest completely integrated digital display (like who I want to be). Do you intend to use the plane professionally every day or sport around in it once a month? Take a look at the following link that discusses panel upgrades. It is a recent polling of the audience on what should be included or considered in another pilot's upgrade decision... ( use the search function at the top of the page) http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=3&threadid=3278 Answering the question of which airframe to upgrade. Take the most recent one you can find that is in need of the upgrades that you intend install. There are no M20Js to avoid, but each year they got slightly more refined. It sounds like you will be spending large sums of money to have a better than new M20J (an engine rebuilt, interior replaced, avioinics installed, new paint etc.). It would make sense to select a low time, undamaged air frame to go with that investment. there are at least two similar projects, in mooneyspace, that have recently been finished that you can also look to for ideas. Vref (in Belgium) and Jezzie (in Canada). See their photo galleries. Best regards, -a- Quote
John Pleisse Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 They have a good rep. They re-did a 201 pretty well. Their price started at 138,000 and they feel they are are giving it away low at 109k...I have watched it. Nice bird and a good pick-up for someone. They pitch a lot of frustrated Bonanza-wanna-be owners and make delighted customers of them. The owner rattle's numbers off with seemingly not a lot of thought, but his basic estimates are generally dead on. He makes no quams about making a good living and is fair. His reference list of light GA refurbs is extensive. If it is what you want to do, it seems efficient. You can keep an eye on profit margings in one place, not 10. I had several meetings with him considering a total refurb of a 1 owner, crazy low time Twin Commanche I found in a barn in SW VA. We ended up not doing it, because he was fair and realistic.....too much money for me. Oh, he was also discrete about my not yet purchased find. Good Dude. I wrote this before I read the thread, then just double checked to make sure I wasn't the Lone Ranger...quite the opposite. Good for him. Quote
Lowbid Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Posted September 9, 2011 Well...since I'm in the construction business and if I wasn't "lowbid", I wouldn't be able to make my future Mooney purchase. Luckily, my bids haven't been too low. I'm currently studying for my IFR and have averaged about 130 hours/year in my 172. Can't wait to fly faster !!!! I've been looking and looking at 201's for sale. It just seems to make sense spending an extra $25K on a bird you expect to last for quite some time without nickel and diming you (if that's possible). I will spend more time researching the mooneyspace threads and decide a perfect panel for my mission. The problem lies in being unfamiliar with the modern avionics and autopilots. Just have to take it all in and decide using the best information you have available. I appreciate all your comments...and will keep the board updated on my purchase. Quote
carusoam Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 Lowbid, Thanks for the explanation. It seems that you have both eyes wide open.... For panel upgrade ideas, consider a search for threads with things like: GTN (newest garmin nav radios) G500 (garmin glass cockpit) Aspen (more glass cockpit) JPI or EI (engine system monitors) (Auto Pilots) Ipad (charts and additional awareness) These are the most valuable recent additions to consider to have in your panel or for upgrades. As a single pilot - IFR operator, you will appreciate higher levels of automation and situational awareness. Best regards, -a- Quote
GeorgePerry Posted September 9, 2011 Report Posted September 9, 2011 Quote: Lowbid One more question for you Mooniacs...what year M20J would be your preference to refurbish. Also, assuming a guy wants a functional but not "over the top" panel; what would be your choice for Avionics? Quote
KSMooniac Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 I agree with George's take on a great, modern IFR panel on a reasonable budget, except I would swap for a 530W over the 430W. (I have both now, and think the 530W is worth the premium, especially if you only have one panel-mount GPS!) I also installed a GTX-330 vs. the -327 when my King threw craps, and I'm happy I did since we have TIS (traffic) coverage near my home and frequent destinations. The autopilot is the big wildcard and perhaps the most expensive item installed...it would be best if you found a plane with one already in it, AND in good working order. I think my '77 came with a primitive Century, but the previous owner added an STEC-30 with altitude and GPSS and that is an extremely good "budget" autopilot. However, the prices for these are much higher today. I would say having a good autopilot is much more beneficial than a glass PFD, too, so I'd spend money there before spending on an Aspen or G500. You can't go wrong with any J, but the consensus is the '84+ give you the most upgrades. 1-pc belly, removable seats, and all of the aero refinements are the big hitters, and expensive to duplicate. In '87 or '88 (I think) they went to the rounded windows that are much more attractive IMO, so if you like that look then keep that in mind. Of course starting with a solid airframe of any vintage is the most important goal, and I expect Pristine will not let you sink money into a rat's nest. Quote
mulro767 Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 Quote: GeorgePerry This is what I'd do....It's a simple, relatively inexpensive and extreemly capible panel. - JPI - EDM 730 w/ Fuel Flow - Garmin 340 audio panel with 4 Place intercom and music input jack - Garmin GNS 430W Nav/Com with a Garmin GI 106a glideslope - Garmin SL30 Nav/Com - Garmin 327 transponder - Garmin Aera 510 w XM Aera AirGizmo Panel dock (pre wired for power and XM Weather) - 4 Place Head Phone jacks (not panel power) Quote
Skybrd Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 Carusoam, I liked your quote and have a respond: I also prefer to stay with the oldschool steam gauge types. Flying airplanes and using various instruments keeps us mentally tuned. One of the issues with putting all your eggs in one basket is a single point of failure using glass cockpits. Having various oldschool gauges isolates the issues with little single point of failures. If you ever watched Burt Rutan space ship launch you would see a single point of failure when the space craft launched and had a immediate loss of glass cockpit capability. Quote: carusoam It looks like "lowbid" and "pristine" are opposites. I am starting to think that "lowbid" might be a misnomer if you are seriously considering selecting an airframe and having someone restore / upgrade it. Selecting a "functional panel" requires some thought from the user. It is hard to define over-the top without knowing how you intend to use the plane. Do you consider yourself a serious IFR pilot that appreciates redundant systems? Or so you only fly VFR during the day? Are you the oldschool steam gauge guy (like me)? Or are you an electronics whiz who likes the latest completely integrated digital display (like who I want to be). Do you intend to use the plane professionally every day or sport around in it once a month? Take a look at the following link that discusses panel upgrades. It is a recent polling of the audience on what should be included or considered in another pilot's upgrade decision... ( use the search function at the top of the page) http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=3&threadid=3278 Answering the question of which airframe to upgrade. Take the most recent one you can find that is in need of the upgrades that you intend install. There are no M20Js to avoid, but each year they got slightly more refined. It sounds like you will be spending large sums of money to have a better than new M20J (an engine rebuilt, interior replaced, avioinics installed, new paint etc.). It would make sense to select a low time, undamaged air frame to go with that investment. there are at least two similar projects, in mooneyspace, that have recently been finished that you can also look to for ideas. Vref (in Belgium) and Jezzie (in Canada). See their photo galleries. Best regards, -a- Quote
DaV8or Posted September 10, 2011 Report Posted September 10, 2011 Quote: GeorgePerry This is what I'd do....It's a simple, relatively inexpensive and extreemly capible panel. - JPI - EDM 730 w/ Fuel Flow - Garmin 340 audio panel with 4 Place intercom and music input jack - Garmin GNS 430W Nav/Com with a Garmin GI 106a glideslope - Garmin SL30 Nav/Com - Garmin 327 transponder - Garmin Aera 510 w XM Aera AirGizmo Panel dock (pre wired for power and XM Weather) - 4 Place Head Phone jacks (not panel power) Quote
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