1966 M20E For Sale $110,000

[BobCW]

I'm very thankful for this community! About two years ago the members here helped me validate my "mission" and select the perfect plane. Due to some overseas travel and various life events that I have coming up over the next 12 months, I am not going to use the plane as much as I would like. Combine that with my family's plan to step up to a bigger plane in the future (like an A36), it makes practical and financial sense to sell my current plane and save on the fixed costs until upgrading.

• N5952Q: 1966 M20E Super 21
• Serial Number: 838
• TT: 2,921.68
• SMOH: 375.61
• SPOH: 375.61

Sob story aside, this plane checks all the boxes: Low-Time Engine with all the Right Upgrades, New Panel with WAAS GPS, New Attractive Interior, Appealing Paint Job, 201 Speed Mods, No Damage History, No Time in Corrosive Environments, and most importantly...it has been Recently & Frequently Flown. The low-time, recently overhauled engine features GAMI Injectors, Skytec Starter, Plane-Power alternator, Relocated Spin-On Oil Filter, and Quick Drain Oil Plug. Don Maxwell Aviation performed an Annual less than 16 months ago.

The panel features the Garmin GTN 750 WAAS Nav-Com, Garmin GI 106B VOR/LOC, Garmin GTX-345R ADS-B In/Out Transponder, GMA 340 Audio Panel, and JPI 830 Engine Monitor. Subscription-free ADS-B weather, advisories, and traffic through the GTX-345R/GTN-750 Setup. Even pushes right to your iPad through the 750 Bluetooth on the Yoke Ram Mount. JPI EDM 830 Engine Monitor displays the Engine Parameters, CHTs, EGTs, and Fuel Flow. I can't tell you how 1) comforting and 2) helpful in troubleshooting this system has been for me over the last two years.

The interior was completely redone in 2017 with new leather and plastics. The Airframe itself has low total time and features Speed Modifications (One-Piece Windshield and 201 Style Engine Cowling) that allow regular cruise speeds between 145-155 KTAS at 8.0-11.5gph depending on your LOP/ROP Setup, Winds, and Altitude. I usually cruise 5,000-6,500ft (my kid's comfortable ear limit) at 24 Squared and get 8.3PGH LOP and 11.2GPH ROP. Wheelen LED Wing-Tip Strobes and LED Landing Light add to the exterior appearance. The paint job is appealing and the plane does truly impress with that "10-foot-shine," but it does has several small cosmetic blemishes that are noticed up close. 

Photos, Logbooks (will upload soon), Oil Sample Reports, Savvy Aviation Reports, Aerospace 337/Title Report, and much more is available inside this Google Drive folder for your due diligence. Also, please feel free to review all my flight history using the Savvy Analysis Tool here. If you would like to search the Aircraft’s Tail Number Registration and Damage History use this free tool.

I'm listing it at $110,000 (both Jimmy's GMax Valuation Guide and VRef exceed this total), but I'm willing lower it for a MSer if we can avoid some of the formalities and save myself all the hassle. Don did my Prebuy in 2021 and subsequently rolled that into an annual where I spent $25,500 ($13,000 to Jewell Aviation) to get this plane mechanically where it was aesteically. Since then, I've flown it over 120 Tach Hours and worked out all the gremlins. All the JPI Data is great, Oil Consumption is 1 Quart per 7-8 flight hours, I have rarely ever let CHT get above 400 (spread is low to high 300's), Savvy FEVA/Report Card/Trend Analysis are solid, and oil analysis looks fine.

Call or Text 270-881-6396. Airplane is located in Springfield/Clarksville, TN at M91. I'm willing to fly it to you if your within a certain radius (300-500NM).

[BobCW]

3 hours ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

Beautiful Mooney.  I really like your panel and interior.  Very clean.  Just FYI, though, although you do have a one piece windshield as later became standard in ‘68 (whereas your Mooney originally was built with a two piece) yours is not “201 style”.  Just FYI.  GLWS!

Jim

Thanks Jim! 

[carusoam]

Fancy!

 

and…

You get to keep your MS credentials…

You are encouraged to hang out even after the beautiful M20E is parked in another MSer’s hangar…

Just don’t blab about the A36… 

Post a pic of the new plane when able…

Being a member of an online aviation community is good for your flying health…

Go Long Body!

Go MS!

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Rmfriday]

Nice looking E, I have a 66 C w N number 5992Q. Funny how Mooney must have just got the next number available when they sold a new plane back then.

good luck with the sale!

[eMahle]

Looks amazing, might be more plane than I could afford, but it looks like a real turn key plane

[BobCW]

8 hours ago, carusoam said:

Fancy!

 

and…

You get to keep your MS credentials…

You are encouraged to hang out even after the beautiful M20E is parked in another MSer’s hangar…

Just don’t blab about the A36… 

Post a pic of the new plane when able…

Being a member of an online aviation community is good for your flying health…

Go Long Body!

Go MS!

Best regards,

-a-

 

I plan to stay on MS! I'm more of a reader than a poster, but it sure has educated me and helped me diagnose problems here and there (saving me lots of dollars vs. being an uninvolved owner). If I could stay in a Mooney I certainly would! You just can't beat the efficiency of speed/cost that it offers. Surprisingly with my family (all girls other than me), I don't have a GWT issue, its a volume issue. Strollers, carseats, pack n' plays, etc. seem to be in my life to stay. My wife loves the convenience of traveling privately, but a little more space to take all our stuff when we go somewhere for a week. We have made it work on family trip by sending large items in advance my in-laws, but really it turns into the stressful logistics planning fiasco every time. Will be looking to get into a bigger 5 or 6 seat plane in the next 12-18 months.

4 hours ago, Rmfriday said:

Nice looking E, I have a 66 C w N number 5992Q. Funny how Mooney must have just got the next number available when they sold a new plane back then.

good luck with the sale!

Thanks! I heard someone with ATC once that was also in the 59_ _Q Range. I got a little too excited...

[BobCW]

1 hour ago, eMahle said:

Looks amazing, might be more plane than I could afford, but it looks like a real turn key plane

Thanks! It is pretty turn key...It took quite a bit of work by Don Maxwell (see the receipt in my Drive) and post maintenance flying/troubleshooting by me to get it mechanically to where it is aesthetically. I'm not sure where you are in your aviation or ownership journey, but something I learned from this community is that when you buy your Mooney, try to get AS MUCH of your prioritized wishlist checked off as possible. Even if you're an A&P, it gets really expensive really quickly. If you can keep your costs down by doing some of your own work, you have to consider your family/job/other obligations as well. Can you really afford to spend X numbers of hours at the airport every week. Some guys have flexible jobs and limited family obligations and they can do it...I am not one of those guys. As weekend warrior I couldn't take on upgrade projects myself or I would never have gotten to fly time wise (I also don't have tons of AMU's laying around to spend). 

My advise it to stretch your budget and get all you can get. Above all, the most important thing is buying a plane that has been flown frequently and recently! You greatly de-risk the likelihood of having catastrophic first year problems or being stuck with a large first year annual bill. That's why Jimmy's GMax Valuation guide puts a dollar figure to a recent Don Maxwell Annual. If you do stretch your budget you still need to account for State Taxes (if applicable) and first year insurance (usually paid in full, but @Parker_Woodruff has a partner that finances it for a low fee).

If I was keeping the plane for the following amounts of time listed below I would invest in these 3 items:

• 3-5 Years: Dual G5's (or GI275's...Dealers choice). Having an HSI would be helpful. Currently I have to incorporate the GTN750 in my "scan" to get Desired/Actual Track information. DG's are just not very good for flying straight lines when I get cleared direct (happens 90% of the time) and I'm not on vectors. It also would be nice to reference the course deviation bar/glide slope on the HSI rather than having to also build in the GI106B in my approach scan.
• 7-12 Years: Paint...I'm huge on aesthetics (can't you tell) and fresh paint would really make this plane stand out on the ramp and give you that $200K feeling in the low $100K's range.
• 12-20 Years: AP...I know everyone has their own opinion on AP's, but here's mine. Sure I want one, but I don't need one. After flying actual hard IMC many times with my wife and two daughters (distracting 4yo & 1yo) on board, I can say with confidence that you don't need an AP. They absolutely make it easier and reduce workload. Depending on your proficiency, I would agree that they make the approach phase (IAF>Breaking Out) safer or at least make you feel that way because your not trying to watch the plate on foreflight, scan the instruments, get on speed, get on descent, drop the gear, etc all by yourself. But if you can do all that then you'll build a lot of confidence in your ability to fly the airplane when the system doesn't work, when it tries to do something funky, or if you make a bad decsision and go VMC>IMC. I can tell you that with Mooney's in general and the way Don has this Airplane rigged, it is super stable. My skills and comfort level has definitely been push in actual conditions when the girls are being restless or when a controller didn't decend me quite enough prior to the IAF, but I was always able to keep my speed above calculated DMMS and the plane within the course deviation bar...if you can't you have always ask for a PT before the approach to get better setup or GA if you get outside the course/off the GP. The primary reason I put this 3/3 on the list is that a GFC/500 installed will cost $20-30K. It you get a 1/4 share partner you could use his buy in, of say $30K, to fund the AP. 

As @carusoam always says...PP thoughts only!

Rob

[ArtVandelay]

I can’t imagine flying 3-5 hour flights without an autopilot, something I do often.
Edit: by flying I mean maintaining altitude within 100’ and direction keeping needle centered. I find this more tiring than driving for some reason.

[BobCW]

1 hour ago, ArtVandelay said:

I can’t imagine flying 3-5 hour flights without an autopilot, something I do often.

I see your point! My typical flights are 1-3 hours, but occasionally I do trips 3+ hour legs. I would love to be able to sit there and twiddle my thumbs, instead I pitch the yoke between my index finger & thumb, place my arm on the elbow rest, and make minor adjustments to pitch and roll. It gets old, bIt it’s just old school piloting!

An AP certainly would make the long XC’s more convenient, but for the amount of times I fly >2 hours legs (I do a lot of same day round trips that are 3.5 total), it’s not worth the investment/downtime. If I had a partner, even at a 1/4 share, and was keeping the plane long term, I would do it. 

[hammdo]

Love the plane! 

Really like the yokes - who did those and do you have pics of the backs and bottoms?

Sorry for the hijack ;o)

GLWS!

-Don

[BobCW]

@hammdo The owner before me did it so I'm unsure. I can take some pictures when I fly it next.

[USNA12]

On 1/26/2023 at 11:46 AM, BobCW said:

I plan to stay on MS! I'm more of a reader than a poster, but it sure has educated me and helped me diagnose problems here and there (saving me lots of dollars vs. being an uninvolved owner). If I could stay in a Mooney I certainly would! You just can't beat the efficiency of speed/cost that it offers. Surprisingly with my family (all girls other than me), I don't have a GWT issue, its a volume issue. Strollers, carseats, pack n' plays, etc. seem to be in my life to stay. My wife loves the convenience of traveling privately, but a little more space to take all our stuff when we go somewhere for a week. We have made it work on family trip by sending large items in advance my in-laws, but really it turns into the stressful logistics planning fiasco every time. Will be looking to get into a bigger 5 or 6 seat plane in the next 12-18 months.

Thanks! I heard someone with ATC once that was also in the 59_ _Q Range. I got a little too excited...

I feel this, my issue with my E is useful load and size. i need something that can fit a 3 other guys my size and our bags to a V35 looks like its in the cards. 

[USNA12]

51 minutes ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

That is all well and good.  But why pollute this guy’s classified ad for his E model if you aren’t even in the market for one?  

Keeping it bumped to the top, isnt that what a good forum is? Keeping the fresh meat forward?

OP, wonderful plane. I concur with your top 3 assessment. Literally the exact same things I would do.

Also please forgive me if I "polluted" your ad. I generally break down all my cardboard and cut all my plastic 6packs for recycling so being called a "polluter" makes my inner hippie all sad

[Rusty Pilot]

On 1/26/2023 at 3:17 AM, carusoam said:

Fancy!

 

and…

You get to keep your MS credentials…

You are encouraged to hang out even after the beautiful M20E is parked in another MSer’s hangar…

Just don’t blab about the A36… 

Post a pic of the new plane when able…

Being a member of an online aviation community is good for your flying health…

Go Long Body!

Go MS!

Best regards,

-a-

 

I do love an A36, but my wife and I fit very well in our Mooney

 

[carusoam]

Thought of the day…

M20Es make fantastic forever-planes!

Best regards,

-a-

[TN-G]

Beautiful plane and a fellow Volunteer to boot seems like serendipity. I’m about 15 hours into PPL training. Upon getting certified, my eventual plan is to purchase a plane for visiting family on the other side of the state (Tennessee is a very wide state). Admittedly, in addition to learning to fly, I have also been trying to learn more about used airplanes in general. From what I’ve been able to ascertain to this point, it seems universally accepted that Mooneys offer the best value. They also seem like a perfect fit for my mission.

Given the high rental fee I’m paying for flight lessons in beater 172s, I’m beginning to think that it may be worthwhile to consider purchasing my own plane sooner rather than later.

I’m just not sure if that’s advisable or not. My only analogy is when my son was learning to ride a motorcycle. I enthusiastically enrolled him in the local motorcycle safety course where he learned on underpowered bikes rather than teaching him myself on my 1400cc sport tourer. Is it a bad idea to attempt to learn in something as fast as a Mooney that I’d hope to serve as my forever plane? My landings still leave a lot to be desired.

In regard to your plane, I’m pretty sure these are stupid questions but keep in mind that I’m really new to all of this. Is it IFR capable? With all the avionics you mentioned, I assume it is. The tail number registration and damage site you linked says the plane has 180hp but I thought M20Es had 200hp. Can you confirm which it is?  Finally, have you checked into the cost to fix or replace the autopilot?

[Fly Boomer]

10 minutes ago, TN-G said:

In regard to your plane, I’m pretty sure these are stupid questions but keep in mind that I’m really new to all of this. Is it IFR capable? With all the avionics you mentioned, I assume it is. The tail number registration and damage site you linked says the plane has 180hp but I thought M20Es had 200hp. Can you confirm which it is?  Finally, have you checked into the cost to fix or replace the autopilot?

First, welcome to MooneySpace.  Second, if you are responding to the Original Post, you can get someone's attention by typing an "at" sign followed by their handle, and then select from a list like this:  @BobCW.  Third, given where you are in your training, it might be better to stay with the 172 until you get your ticket.  Almost everything you have learned so far will be different in the Mooney.  Some people do it, but I wouldn't change horses in the middle of the stream.  Others will chime in soon.

BTW, there are no stupid questions.  Everyone starts at the beginning.

[carusoam]

It is traditional to train using a trainer… they we’re designed for training humans how to fly.

It is also traditional to beat up beater C172 while training…. Why beat up your own plane?

It is really good to learn to fly two different planes… this gives insight to how to better fly the Mooney when you get it.

So don’t consider it lost effort to keep training in the trainer…  get to know it really well… for later comparisons…

 

Of course we have a few people that have trained in their own Mooney anyways…

We have one MSer currently training in an Acclaim… because he can… and his choice of employment is race car driver…. 

 

Sooooo… you decide what is right for you.

Many of us got to the 100hr mark prior to buying the Mooney…

Then study for the IR with the Mooney…

PP summary how some people answer this question only… not throwing any cold water on the fire…

 

Go MS!

Go Mooney!

Best regards,

-a-

[TN-G]

@Fly Boomer, @carusoam, thank you for the feedback and encouragement! I’m happy to be part of this group and look forward to learning more about flying and being a good Mooney owner someday. 

[carusoam]

1 minute ago, TN-G said:

@Fly Boomer, @carusoam, thank you for the feedback and encouragement! I’m happy to be part of this group and look forward to learning more about flying and being a good Mooney owner someday. 

Enjoy the flight!

Come back early and often…

Ask a ton of questions…

Use the search function… to hone your questions… 

Best regards,

-a-

[Niko182]

2 hours ago, TN-G said:

Beautiful plane and a fellow Volunteer to boot seems like serendipity. I’m about 15 hours into PPL training. Upon getting certified, my eventual plan is to purchase a plane for visiting family on the other side of the state (Tennessee is a very wide state). Admittedly, in addition to learning to fly, I have also been trying to learn more about used airplanes in general. From what I’ve been able to ascertain to this point, it seems universally accepted that Mooneys offer the best value. They also seem like a perfect fit for my mission.

Given the high rental fee I’m paying for flight lessons in beater 172s, I’m beginning to think that it may be worthwhile to consider purchasing my own plane sooner rather than later.

I’m just not sure if that’s advisable or not. My only analogy is when my son was learning to ride a motorcycle. I enthusiastically enrolled him in the local motorcycle safety course where he learned on underpowered bikes rather than teaching him myself on my 1400cc sport tourer. Is it a bad idea to attempt to learn in something as fast as a Mooney that I’d hope to serve as my forever plane? My landings still leave a lot to be desired.

In regard to your plane, I’m pretty sure these are stupid questions but keep in mind that I’m really new to all of this. Is it IFR capable? With all the avionics you mentioned, I assume it is. The tail number registration and damage site you linked says the plane has 180hp but I thought M20Es had 200hp. Can you confirm which it is?  Finally, have you checked into the cost to fix or replace the autopilot?

In today's day, good planes are hard to come by. If you see a plane that you like, you'll realistically need to pick it up as soon as possible. The market we currently are in is still a sellers market so prices are higher. If it were me, I'd get this, get your PPL, and fly the hell out of it. If you want a basic autopilot, you can probably get a gfc500 installed with 2 servos for around 15 grand and a pair that with a set of G5s for another 8 to 10K. At the end of that you will have a M20E with a phenomenal panel. Before you do any of that, go buy a PMA450B and replace the GMA340.

I'd say buy this and learn in this. I looked at rental prices in TN for a twin a couple months ago and was blown away by how expensive rentals were around Nashville. All of them were significantly more expensive than anything I had previously rented in southern California, and have currently rented in Denver.

[mkerian10]

On 2/5/2023 at 8:19 PM, Niko182 said:

In today's day, good planes are hard to come by. If you see a plane that you like, you'll realistically need to pick it up as soon as possible. The market we currently are in is still a sellers market so prices are higher. If it were me, I'd get this, get your PPL, and fly the hell out of it. If you want a basic autopilot, you can probably get a gfc500 installed with 2 servos for around 15 grand and a pair that with a set of G5s for another 8 to 10K. At the end of that you will have a M20E with a phenomenal panel. Before you do any of that, go buy a PMA450B and replace the GMA340.

I'd say buy this and learn in this. I looked at rental prices in TN for a twin a couple months ago and was blown away by how expensive rentals were around Nashville. All of them were significantly more expensive than anything I had previously rented in southern California, and have currently rented in Denver.

Why buy a plane you're immediately going to upgrade? He didn't really indicate any pressing need to purchase a plane and I don't see any particular reason that the plane market would explode in the next year or so.

[Niko182]

12 hours ago, mkerian10 said:

Why buy a plane you're immediately going to upgrade? He didn't really indicate any pressing need to purchase a plane and I don't see any particular reason that the plane market would explode in the next year or so.

He was asking for the price to upgrade certain items. I am of the opinion that one should fly the plane they have for a year before upgrading avionics, with the exception of the pma450b. That can be done in about 5 minutes, and the added capability is worth the $1500 trade in at least in my opinion.

[Fly Boomer]

On 2/5/2023 at 8:19 PM, Niko182 said:

Before you do any of that, go buy a PMA450B and replace the GMA340.

What are the advantages?

[Niko182]

31 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

What are the advantages?

dual bluetooth, better audio quality, the IntelliAudio is very nice. After owning it for a couple years I love it, and it's such an easy jump up from the 340.