Which Mooney for my mission

[OR75]

I don't mind taking the risk for some wrath ... Keep your PA-28 untill you can upgrade to a J model or higher

 

[john221us]

Thanks for the great advice. I have considered the benefit of a plane that has mods and in particular, a pretty good IFR panel. This is why I am considering going with the C model, as my current budget only puts me at the bottom end of the E model. Keeping my Cherokee and waiting until I have more money is certainly an option, but what inspired this was my desire to jump start my IR training.

Thanks,

John

[piperpainter]

And I am down in in Vacaville at Nut Tree with a heavily modified 1965 C model. So If you want to see one with the mods I got em!

[Hank]

Based on my own experience, and the Examiner's comments, a C-model is an excellent instrument platform. He also said "since you have the perfect airplane, why don't you start on your Commercial certificate?" but I have not taken him up on the offer.

[Shadrach]

All Mooneys are excellent instrument platforms.  

@OR75 What do you see as the benefit to buying a J over a C, D , E or F. How are you figuring that the additional investment is justified (strictly numbers here, the emotional component of newer cannot be quntified)?

[OR75]

All are fine aircrafts. Performance increments from a PA28 to a C/E (~30knots ??) and to a J (~40knots ??).  But the Js and above are more "modern" platforms and that shows in value (purchasing / sales).  I understand it may be subjective and biased but for me, an Ovation on a ramp looks better than a J and a J looks better than a C/E.

 

[Shadrach]

Quote: OR75

All are fine aircrafts. Performance increments from a PA28 to a C/E (~30knots ??) and to a J (~40knots ??).  But the Js and above are more "modern" platforms and that shows in value (purchasing / sales).  I understand it may be subjective and biased but for me, an Ovation on a ramp looks better than a J and a J looks better than a C/E.

[John Pleisse]

Everyone is leaning towards fuel injection, but the C is a lot of plane for the money. A carb is limiting, but also easier to fix and look after. And as carb'ed aircraft go, the C's and G's have stunning performance.

I had plans of buying an F and doing mods. By the time this would have been accomplished, the commitment would be early 201-J money. This is the biggest bubble in the fleet, repsresenting nearly 900 planes (77-81).

Whatever you buy....find a good one with lots of upgrades and meticulous maintenance.

 

[Seth]

First off thank you for posting your question on MooneySpace.  You can see there are a lot of opinions, but it will certainly assisty your decision making process.

I ended up purchasing an F model as my first Mooney.  I was looking at the E or F, and decided on the F.  Those 10 extra inches really do make a difference, however, as you mentioned, they are not needed for your mission.

Between the C or the E, you can't go wrong with either.   The C is a great airplane for your mission except the altitude.  The 20 extra HP of the E make it desireable.  I flew my F out West during the summer in 2010 and boy did density altitude play in a factor during climb with full tanks.  It still flew just fine, but nothing like where I am based at sea level on the east coast.  It just took more runway than usual and it was a healthy climb, but not the usuall 1000+ feet per minute at all.

Also you have to consider IFR flying.  The C model is fine for light IFR, even from time to time moderate.  But with moisture in the air and carb icing, if I were to fly in a lot of weather, I'd take a fuel injected engine over carburated.

Also, with the altitude of 6700, 20 extra HP, at that altitude means a lot.  I don't know the charts, but 180 hp at 7000 is what, 120 HP?  so 200 would be 133?  That may not seem like a whole lot more, but boy you do feel the extra 20 HP - think of a 160 HP 172 vs a 180 HP 172.  It's the climb.

Both airplanes are good choices.  I think the C is the best retract value in general avaition.  Maybe the only better value in general avaition is your current airplane. 

If I could swing it, I'd go for the E model.  Again, as others have mentioend, see if you can get one that's already been modified (but modified well!) as that costs much less to purchase one that's been modified as opposed to doing the work yourself. 

Make sure to ask if any work has been done that was not certified or with improper parts, as you don't want your aircraft grounded somewhere by a ramp check.  Someone else worried about this on the board recently.

Enjoy the search purchase process - most likely, you'll have to look at a quite a few planes before you find yours.

Take care,

-Seth