Need some insight on this 201

[bnicolette]

Hey guys,

A friend is looking into a 201 and came across this one online.  You guys have an thoughts on it after having a peek at the ad?  Does anybody know this plane personally?  Seems like it's priced right?  There was some damage after an icing encounter and apparently the operator "muscled" the controls free.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1991-MOONEY-M20J-201/1214057.htm

[smccray]

5 hours since July, and 20 years on the engine.  Why did it get a new prop 780 hrs ago, and why did it need to be overhauled in July?  It needs an engine monitor.  The infrequent use would suggest that the engine likely won't go much longer, and depending on the state of the assessories the overhaul could run in excess of $30k, particularly if you upgrade the mags to a dual mag setup.

There aren't many J models on the market right now- it looks a little slim.

 

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: Bnicolette

Hey guys,

A friend is looking into a 201 and came across this one online.  You guys have an thoughts on it after having a peek at the ad?  Does anybody know this plane personally?  Seems like it's priced right?  There was some damage after an icing encounter and apparently the operator "muscled" the controls free.

http://www.controller.com/listingsdetail/aircraft-for-sale/MOONEY-M20J-201/1991-MOONEY-M20J-201/1214057.htm

[Parker_Woodruff]

Tim Lundquist is selling that plane, and I almost bought an airplane from him last summer.  However, my move to Florida added some complications in the April/May timeframe, so I waited till June.  He's a straight shooter.  He and I talk often.

Willmar's right there for a pre-buy/annual.

[bnicolette]

Thank you for the replies guys.  I took this guy flying last week and it was his first time in a Mooney.  I wanted to expose him to just how great these airplanes are.  He has had his PPL for many years and I think most of his time is in the C & P models.  He is close to retiring and is now looking to buy his own airplane.  I think as many of us do when we first start looking we look for the newest model and lowest price that is in our budget.  Then eventually we come to the realization that there are no "steals" and there are reasons that a particular aircraft is priced "low".

This one kind of stumped me though as the only damage report that I could find was the one of the icing encounter and muscling the controls free.  However, I did hear back from the seller and indeed as you guys have stated, they are straight shooters.  The airplane does have a bit of a "jaded" history and more damage than was coming up when I searched.  It is I'm sure a great airplane for somebody that doesn't mind that history.

[John Pleisse]

Brett..This AC was the topic of a fairly lively MS thread some months back.