New here with a few questions

[dmc]

Hi, I'm new here and Ive spent the last few days reading some of the old post.  I'm still a student pilot but of coarse I want to own my own plane soon.  I'm 54 and hope to have my PPL completed by this spring.   Initially I was looking at the Cessna 172 as thats what I have been training with, but it's no Mooney.  After looking at counless adds I realized that the older Mooneys may be in my price range,  $35,000 give or take.  My worry's are maintenance cost, safety, parts availability, and finding a mechanic familier with the Mooney. 

I'm in the St. Louis area, and Ive seen a few Mooneys at the airport, but havn't talked with any of the owners yet.  Hopefully I can talk with a few and get an idea on who works on their planes and some of the cost. 

So is a early Mooney, say a M20C, a realistic plane for a new pilot?  I would complete my PPL in the Cessna as I think that would be best.  Does anyone have any idea on the cost of owning a older Mooney compared with a similar aged Cessna 172? 

Also what are realistic useful loads on a M20C?  Can 4 adults fit for a short flight? 

Anyone here from the St. Louis area that I could get a close look at their plane and tallk.

 

 

[GeorgePerry]

Congrats for deciding to look into the best all around certified airplane on the market.  I would recommend reading this thread, you might find it helpful.

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

[gregwatts]

Before you do anything, TRY a Mooney first. They are not for everybody......! Keep reading these posts, and you will gain a wealth of knowledge and a bazillion opinions. There are too many variables to consider in deciding whether a Mooney is the right plane for you.

Get the PPL first.....go on a few "missions"........and then you will be able to consider what to buy.

My opinion only.

[John Pleisse]

Welcome dnc. The C is a great step up retract and won't ding you in the pocket book. You'll do great with it. Great instrument paltform for your instrument tx. It can haul four, but not for more than an hour or two and not comfortably. Keep an eye out for the high ticket items... cage corrosion, tanks and the engine.

[rbridges]

several people have purchased an M20C shortly after getting their ticket, including myself.  Best advice is to get a ride in one and see how you like it. 

$35K will get you a C model, but it will more than likely be lacking in something--avionics, paint, or overall condition.  You may get lucky and get a good deal, but most of the nicer C models will probably be in the mid 40's.  In all honesty, I haven't been keeping a close eye on the market.

Once you decide that you want a mooney and find a potential purchase, get back on the forum and get some more pointers.

[dmc]

Thanks, I'm just in the research phase now.  Hopefully I'll be able to check some out to see if they are for me.  I don't expect $35k to get a pristine example, but hopefully a servicable one.  I'm not going to do anything for a while, and in few months hopefully I'll have a better handle on what I want and need.  Then I'll also have a better idea on how much I want to spend. 

[carusoam]

DMC,

the fastest way to cut your Mooney cost in half is to take on a partner.

Have you consider a partnership?

Best regards,

-a-

[rbridges]

Quote: dmc

Thanks, I'm just in the research phase now.  Hopefully I'll be able to check some out to see if they are for me.  I don't expect $35k to get a pristine example, but hopefully a servicable one.  I'm not going to do anything for a while, and in few months hopefully I'll have a better handle on what I want and need.  Then I'll also have a better idea on how much I want to spend. 

[markeg1964]

I’m a low time pilot who learned in a Cessna 170 that I flew for five years and then traded it for a M20B.  At the time of the trade, I had 278 hours.  The transaction was a non event as I think the M20B is easier to land than the 170.  The 170/172 is a MUCH better training aircraft but the transaction is not hard - just more to pay attention to. 

I’m just finishing my first annual with the M20B and aside from a prop overhaul (something I was planning on), the cost of the annual is similar to that of the 170.  The Mooney has cost me more during this first year as I’m spending more money on avionics.  I think the Mooney lends itself to spender upgrades.  For example, I installed a fuel flow computer last year in the M20B.  I would not have even thought of it in the 170.  I also added a CDI for the GPS.  A handheld was all that the 170 needed.  All that to say I don’t think the Mooney is that much more expensive to maintain, however, I do think you will spend more maintaining it.  I do love flying 40mph faster on the same fuel or even faster on just a little more.