Who can I trust?

[timinfla2]

Hi there folks - I'm looking to buy my first plane and I'm looking at a 231.  I've seen quite a few listings from Mooney Mart but I've seen some bad reviews about them so I'm steering clear.  

At the end of the day, I'd like something that can get me into the Flight Levels with Factory O2 and it seems that I'm not quite yet experienced enough to distinguish between a great A/C and a lemon.  

If anybody can offer up a few references for a pre-buy inspection, I'd appreciate it.  

 

Thanks, 

Tim

[Parker_Woodruff]

Don Maxwell in Longview, TX. *In general* your best bet is to buy a Texas Mooney and handle everything in the Lone Star State. The best support is there. Where do you live?

[timinfla2]

well shoot - I guess I should've mentioned I live in FL :-)

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: timinfla2

well shoot - I guess I should've mentioned I live in FL :-)

[timinfla2]

George, thank you.  I had no idea there was an MSC in Daytona. I certainly appreciate your response above.  I've actually used several of your posts in my research as to what to look for.  Tanks again!

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: timinfla2

George, thank you.  I had no idea there was an MSC in Daytona. I certainly appreciate your response above.  I've actually used several of your posts in my research as to what to look for.  Tanks again!

[John Pleisse]

This is the way I handle it. And I don't mean to over simplify it. Make sure the plane has a clear title and has never been dipped (flood damage-I saw one for sale in NC that clearly is). Take half the cost of a factory reman (TSIO-360) $23k and subtract that from the fair market valuation. You are going to run into autopilot problems, tank leaks, trim motor, landing gear biscuits, etc. I personally like finding a higher time engine and putting yourself in the driver's seat for a new engine. You end up knowing what you have and can go fly an engine with piece of mind.

Many believe high time airframes are a good value and that you should never be afraid of one. While there are many great planes that are well maintained and have a great service history, chances are they are being sold for a reason. I always place the "irreversibles" in front of everything else. High time airframe, "irreversible"......damage history..."irreversible", foreign registry, title issues, 12 owners, history as a trainer? "Irreversible".

Paint, interior, autopilot fixes, landing gear fixes, engine issues? All reversible.

Daytona Jet is a great shop. I would stay away from the west FL coast place. The fellows at Ft Myer's are pretty good. All of this is based on here se and reputation. I only have personal experience with Daytona. I would also take your time.

 

[timinfla2]

Great advice on the reversible Vs irreversible stuff.  I fully agree wtih that approach.  Some things are simply beyond fixing.  I'll defintiely keep the Daytona folks on my short list as I live in Brevard County but I'll soon be moving out to Tampa, so the Ft Meyers folks will soon get to know me...

[PTK]

This is excellent advice on reversible vs irreversible conditions. Another thing I would add is DON"T RUSH! Many buyers get excited and rush to buy an airplane! It's understandable but it can turn around and bite you financially speaking. Even when you think you found the right one dig deeper and look for reasons not to buy it. The way to control this is to make a hard list and use it as a guide to reject and accept candidates. Don't deviate from your list by overlooking items!

The way I'd approach it is by calling a very reputable MSC. They see alot of Mooneys. Dugosh in Kerville is an excellent MSC. Discuss your situation and ask them for some advice. Also ask them if they know of an airplane that may be coming up fos sale. Many times you will find a good airplane this way. This is a lot more desirable than going to a broker. I'd be very careful dealing with brokers. They want to sell you what they have. You may be rushed into an airplane which otherwise you wouldn't buy. This may or may not be ok with you. 

You will know which is the right airplane by the confidence you'll feel with your decision. This only comes after going through the process.

Good luck!

[timinfla2]

I am ABSOLUTELY in no rush.  Truth be told, I'd prefer to stick a toe in the water via a rental and/or partnership before going full bore into my own bird.  

Further, were you to ask me a week ago what I was looking at, I'd have said a Bonanza.  Before that, an older Aerostar...  Suffice to say, I'm still well-premature of even tire-kicking mode.  

I've heard a few concerns about Mooneys around roominess and payload - I'm 6'3 and 260 pounds.  99% of my flights are flown alone, but some extra payload is one of those nice-to-haves.  

Notwithstanding all of the various makes, there's the battle over which model will best suit me.  My initial reaction is that I want something that can get me up into the Flight Levels for long range trips, say, between FL and MI or FL and NY.  

It looks like a 201 Rocket, a 231 or a 252 will all three fit the bill just fine.  Of course, I remain open and appreciative of any input you folks can offer.  I thank you again for all the gracious feedback.  

[timinfla2]

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20K-305-ROCKET/1983-MOONEY-M20K-305-ROCKET/1189821.htm?

 

This is interesting...

[fantom]

That looks like a nice prospect.

Phil in Avon Park (954-868-3319) knows Mooney inside out, and could do a PPI for you for a lot less $ than Daytona, which I believe, is a good shop also.

Regarding the broker on the west coast of FL, life is just too short for that misery, IMHO.

A short parable:

The little boy was walking down a path and he came across a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake was getting old. He asked, "Please little boy, can you take me to the top of the mountain? I hope to see the sunset one last time before I die." The little boy answered "No Mr. Rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you'll bite me and I'll die." The rattlesnake said, "No, I promise. I won't bite you. Just please take me up to the mountain." The little boy thought about it and finally picked up that rattlesnake and took it close to his chest and carried it up to the top of the mountain.

They sat there and watched the sunset together. It was so beautiful. Then after sunset the rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked, "Can I go home now? I am tired, and I am old." The little boy picked up the rattlesnake and again took it to his chest and held it tightly and safely. He came all the way down the mountain holding the snake carefully and took it to his home to give him some food and a place to sleep. The next day the rattlesnake turned to the boy and asked, "Please little boy, will you take me back to my home now? It is time for me to leave this world, and I would like to be at my home now." The little boy felt he had been safe all this time and the snake had kept his word, so he would take it home as asked.

He carefully picked up the snake, took it close to his chest, and carried him back to the woods, to his home to die. Just before he laid the rattlesnake down, the rattlesnake turned and bit him in the chest. The little boy cried out and threw the snake upon the ground. "Mr. Snake, why did you do that? Now I will surely die!" The rattlesnake looked up at him and grinned, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

[N33GG]

Well said fantom!

[gregwatts]

Quote: fantom

That looks like a nice prospect.

Phil in Avon Park (954-868-3319) knows Mooney inside out, and could do a PPI for you for a lot less $ than Daytona, which I believe, is a good shop also.

Regarding the broker on the west coast of FL, life is just too short for that misery, IMHO.

A short parable:

The little boy was walking down a path and he came across a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake was getting old. He asked, "Please little boy, can you take me to the top of the mountain? I hope to see the sunset one last time before I die." The little boy answered "No Mr. Rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you'll bite me and I'll die." The rattlesnake said, "No, I promise. I won't bite you. Just please take me up to the mountain." The little boy thought about it and finally picked up that rattlesnake and took it close to his chest and carried it up to the top of the mountain.

They sat there and watched the sunset together. It was so beautiful. Then after sunset the rattlesnake turned to the little boy and asked, "Can I go home now? I am tired, and I am old." The little boy picked up the rattlesnake and again took it to his chest and held it tightly and safely. He came all the way down the mountain holding the snake carefully and took it to his home to give him some food and a place to sleep. The next day the rattlesnake turned to the boy and asked, "Please little boy, will you take me back to my home now? It is time for me to leave this world, and I would like to be at my home now." The little boy felt he had been safe all this time and the snake had kept his word, so he would take it home as asked.

He carefully picked up the snake, took it close to his chest, and carried him back to the woods, to his home to die. Just before he laid the rattlesnake down, the rattlesnake turned and bit him in the chest. The little boy cried out and threw the snake upon the ground. "Mr. Snake, why did you do that? Now I will surely die!" The rattlesnake looked up at him and grinned, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."