jerhawkins Posted June 8, 2020 Report Posted June 8, 2020 I just love these kinds of forums! Thank you in advance for all the knowledge you guys are willing to share. I am a new pilot with just over 100 hrs and one year completed. I have flown C172's for most of my training (currently working on my IR). I have flown an arrow II and an RV9 for only an hour each. I have not flown in a mooney yet, but I like everything I hear about them. My only reservation is the "tightness" of the cockpit. I am 6' 200lbs, my wife is tiny and my kids are young. My mission is regional cross country trips 100-400 miles mostly. Sometimes longer. I found a 1963 M20C with good avionics, new paint and interior and <400SMOH. It's priced at 56K. I just wanted to gather your thoughts as a group. Any advice is appreciated.
Ross Taylor Posted June 8, 2020 Report Posted June 8, 2020 Would that be the one that just got posted in the classifieds? It's a beautiful C. Where are you located? I'm sure there's somebody who can let you sit in the cockpit and get a feel for one. We have an E, which is the same size as the C. I'm 510 and 170 lb. My wife is pretty small. I've been in lots of different planes and I don't feel like this one is cramped for me, at all.
hammdo Posted June 8, 2020 Report Posted June 8, 2020 I'm 5'10 250 lbs. I fit in the 61 B model I had just fine. You should be good. I had a cushion to raise me up just a bit if I need to.. -Don
Nukemzzz Posted June 8, 2020 Report Posted June 8, 2020 In my opinion, it would have to be in very good shape, well maintained (All AD's complete, a couple of thousand spent each year at least replacing things as they get older to stay ahead of maintenance), with some great, not good, avionics for that price. It's very easy to buy one of these only to find that the previous owner used up all the life in many of the systems and you'll be the guy that has to fix it all on your first annual. I know there are appraisers for this sort of thing if you wanted a well thought-out indication of value, however, they will miss some things as well. Your other option is to look for other planes that meet your mission and compare what you get for your $$$. Knowing what I know now I think I would ask a couple of basic questions: What hasn't been replaced with new spec part since 1963? Then see a list of all SB and AD that aren't done or current. Some people these planes run until something breaks, then replace it with another used part that doesn't necessary have that much life left ether. I.E. there might be a lot of things that are scheduled to break in the next year but nobody knows it. lol For comparison... I bought a 66' E for 30k, it was valued at 40k by an appraiser back in 2009. It wasn't much to look at but it had "good" avionics, IFR capable theoretically, 300hrs TSMO. I've spent at least $30k (with me doing 110hrs of labor so far myself) just go get it going at the level that I expected when I purchased it and it won't be IFR capable again since the wiring was crap and it no longer works because I looked at it. The number of things just about worn out, or that broke in 10hrs of flying, is too numerous to list here. Glad you are excited and interested in buying the plane. It might be awesome well kept up...just be cautious and know you are taking a gamble, this is a big purchase.
carusoam Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 Great news... 6’ and 200#... you are now qualified for buying any Mooney from M20C to M20R... Mooneys are not any tighter than any other single engine GA plane... You won’t run out of room for quite some time... if ever... If you like speed and efficiency, you have come to the right place... Best regards, -a- 1
Greg Ellis Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 I am 6'2 and weigh 260 lbs. I have no problems in my 63 C model. I quick glance around the forums and the internet reveals that that cabin width of a C model Mooney is about the same as an A36 Bonanza. The difference is the height. The Mooney cabin is shorter than the Bonanza but in the Bonanza you sit higher and more upright and in the Mooney you are more reclined so to speak so the cabin can be shorter but it is also what makes it feel smaller. Mac McClellan mentioned in his article in Airfacts Journal how the Mooney seat is very close to the floor of the Mooney. There is not much room between the bottom of the seat and the floor. You just sit lower. I have actually had a friend of mine who is 6'4 and weighs about the same as me sit in the back seat of my Mooney and he said he was fairly comfortable. He probably would not want to go on a 4 hour cross country but he did fit with no issues. I have been in the back of his former A model with no issues as well. Like was mentioned, let us know where you are located and I am sure there is someone that will let you sit in a Mooney or go for a ride even.
59Moonster Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 (edited) Get an insurance quote first. Then decide how you would like to proceed. I purchased my plane, then got the quote and almost fell off my seat. It was almost twice as much for a 180hp Mooney then it was for a Bonanza E35 with 225hp. Landed up getting over 25 hours in it and that almost made my rate doable. Edited June 9, 2020 by 59Moonster 1
gsxrpilot Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 22 hours ago, jerhawkins said: I found a 1963 M20C with good avionics, new paint and interior and <400SMOH. It's priced at 56K. I just wanted to gather your thoughts as a group. Any advice is appreciated. 5'10" 250 - Very comfortable in a Mooney. If it has an autopilot and GPS... then yes. Assuming all other things are in good condition.
Tcraft938 Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 I bought a 63C a year ago, similarly equipped. However, the economy and market was a bit better then. Using my experience with new scimitar prop, two G5's and full digital engine instrumentation and a lot of recent maintenance at MSC, I would say you should be in the $46,000 to $49,000 range. Maybe a little better if the paint is truly as good as it looks in the pictures, hard to tell, often real life is not as good as the pic. I'm not a broker, A&P or expert, just a fellow newbie Mooniac. "Your mileage may vary". 1
59Moonster Posted June 9, 2020 Report Posted June 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Tcraft938 said: ...pictures, hard to tell, often real life is not as good as the pic. So true with any vehicle purchase.
Skates97 Posted June 10, 2020 Report Posted June 10, 2020 9 hours ago, Tcraft938 said: as good as it looks in the pictures, hard to tell, often real life is not as good as the pic. I'm not a broker, A&P or expert, just a fellow newbie Mooniac. "Your mileage may vary". 5 hours ago, 59Moonster said: So true with any vehicle purchase. And internet dating! (My wife and I met on an internet dating site almost 11 years ago. She looked better than her pictures, not true about some others...) 2 1
Tcraft938 Posted June 12, 2020 Report Posted June 12, 2020 On 6/9/2020 at 10:25 PM, Skates97 said: And internet dating! (My wife and I met on an internet dating site almost 11 years ago. She looked better than her pictures, not true about some others...) Spoken like an experienced pilot husband that knows what to say to keep his Mooney. 3
Jim Peace Posted June 15, 2020 Report Posted June 15, 2020 I think 1964 C models are worth about 150k...... 2 1
chriscalandro Posted June 15, 2020 Report Posted June 15, 2020 43 minutes ago, Jim Peace said: I think 1964 C models are worth about 150k...... 175 with a full dynon panel for a 67? 1
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