M20K Prebuy South Florida

[Crawfish]

Hey guys,

   My partner and I have been looking at TN F/J models (fairly rare) and now found a 231 we like in south Florida, (PMP) and wanted some input on prebuy options. Going through the forums there seems to be a couple options solid options. What does the brain trust think?

1) Phil Jimenez (seems to be the most recommended) 

2) Daytona Aircraft services (quality, but more of an avionics shop than Mooney shop) 

3) Premier aircraft sales (Most expensive, even to the point some say they find some issues that might not be there. Might that be a good thing on a prebuy?) 

4) Aviation Specialty services (quality but not mentioned often)

Who am I missing, who would you absolutely not deal with, who would you run from?

Thank you in advance, 

 Austin 

Edited September 17, 2023 by Crawfish
Additional Info

[ZuluZulu]

I was quite happy with Premier doing my prebuy on an MSE. They prepared a very detailed list of discrepancies, divided between airworthiness and recommended items. You decide what you think is important for the negotiation, not them, so I would rather have a thorough one looking at everything than not. There also is no set procedure for a prebuy so just talk to them about what you want and they can execute it.
 

They were also great about providing color after the inspection but before closing over the phone, and continued to give advice on my request even after my purchase. I would happily use them again. I live out of the area so I never tried them for an annual, but for a prebuy, I was really pretty happy and had no major problems afterward. In fact on my next annual it turned out they had some hard to find parts in stock, one of the few in the country who did, and if I recall correctly I think they even gave me a friendly discount. 
 

Also, I did have them perform some of the work on the inspection discrepancy list after closing and was satisfied with its quality, but it wasn’t anything major or invasive. 

[Crawfish]

Thank you @ZuluZulu, My thoughts are prebuy isn't something I'm going to go cheap on and want as good of an eye as possible. I just don't want to go somewhere that I can't trust. I was a little worried about people saying they think they create issues.... But I imagine every shop has had a client or two think that.  

[ArtVandelay]

I thought Phil is semiretired and only services his old clients.

[Crawfish]

I believe you are correct @ArtVandelay

[ZuluZulu]

5 hours ago, Crawfish said:

Thank you @ZuluZulu, My thoughts are prebuy isn't something I'm going to go cheap on and want as good of an eye as possible. I just don't want to go somewhere that I can't trust. I was a little worried about people saying they think they create issues.... But I imagine every shop has had a client or two think that.  

If I was going to buy another Mooney in Florida I would use Premier again.  That's about as strong a recommendation as it gets for me.

[jhmoon]

I am planning to purchase a Mooney Ovation based at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL). Does anyone have recommendations for a reputable shop to conduct a pre-buy in the next 10-15 days.  I am struggling to find a shop with any availability. So far, I have called Double M, Phil Jimenez, Arnold in Leesburg (who has closed his doors). The seller has set a range from St Petersburg to Daytona for a radius.

Thanks for your help!  

Edited September 22, 2023 by jhmoon
add info

[ArtVandelay]

I am planning to purchase a Mooney Ovation based at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL). Does anyone have recommendations for a reputable shop to conduct a pre-buy in the next 10-15 days.  I am struggling to find a shop with any availability. So far, I have called Double M, Phil Jimenez, Arnold in Leesburg (who has closed his doors). The seller has set a range from St Petersburg to Daytona for a radius.
Thanks for your help!  

Daytona Aircraft Services is a Mooney service center.

[philiplane]

the red and white 231 at PMP needs some interior cosmetic work, panel placards, and it has the obsolete Horizon tach in it. It also has the original King autopilot, which can be problematic. Requires a flight check to verify that it works correctly. It does have a new GTN650 and a GTX345 transponder, but the rest is original from 1979 and it sits out in the Florida sun and rain. 

And I'd have the flight controls checked carefully for damage. The fire department helicopters, and the helicopter school with six Robinsons and a Jet Ranger fly over or air taxi by that parking area daily, and there's a nitwit with a fixed gear turbo Saratoga that uses full power to turn his plane while taxiing to or from his spot. He blasts several planes in that line. A few times a week.

Edited September 23, 2023 by philiplane

[Crawfish]

1 hour ago, philiplane said:

the red and white 231 at PMP needs some interior cosmetic work, panel placards, and it has the obsolete Horizon tach in it. It also has the original King autopilot, which can be problematic. Requires a flight check to verify that it works correctly. It does have a new GTN650 and a GTX345 transponder, but the rest is original from 1979 and it sits out in the Florida sun and rain. 

And I'd have the flight controls checked carefully for damage. The fire department helicopters, and the helicopter school with six Robinsons and a Jet Ranger fly over or air taxi by that parking area daily, and there's a nitwit with a fixed gear turbo Saratoga that uses full power to turn his plane while taxiing to or from his spot. He blasts several planes in that line. A few times a week.

I really appreciate the write up on it @philiplane, PJ has it in his shop right now going through prebuy, and will also be doing a functional test flight on it as well. Beautiful paint job, but that could be a whole lot of makeup. Only one way to find out!