upgrading - older/newer, slower/faster, value of avionics?

[Utah20Gflyer]

Throw in some G5s a GTN 355 and call it a day.  It should be sub 20k and your planes value will go up 10-15k.  The rest if you amortize it over 10 years is a rounding error in plane ownership.  
 

If you aren’t periodically updating your panel then you are devaluing your airplane in my opinion.  Anything now that doesn’t have a WAAS GPS navigator and a couple glass instruments is now sub standard in my book and I think the general market is about there as well.  
 

The relative cost has gone down and the utility has increased greatly.  To me it just doesn’t make sense to have a VFR Mooney anymore. 

[AJ88V]

2 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

Throw in some G5s a GTN 355 and call it a day.  It should be sub 20k and your planes value will go up 10-15k.  The rest if you amortize it over 10 years is a rounding error in plane ownership.  
 

If you aren’t periodically updating your panel then you are devaluing your airplane in my opinion.  Anything now that doesn’t have a WAAS GPS navigator and a couple glass instruments is now sub standard in my book and I think the general market is about there as well.  
 

The relative cost has gone down and the utility has increased greatly.  To me it just doesn’t make sense to have a VFR Mooney anymore. 

You're talking realism here.  Much as I'm ready to blow $50K, it's more than I need.  Still, add in a basic modern autopilot and that jumps up to more like $40K, hence the dilemma of just biting the bullet for big glass and ending up with a wonderful but overpriced M20C!

[bigmo]

1 hour ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

Throw in some G5s a GTN 355 and call it a day.  It should be sub 20k and your planes value will go up 10-15k.

It should be but it isn’t. Shops will demand north of $30k (maybe more). Just went through this getting quotes on 2 G5’s with a magnetometer. About $6k material and $9k labor. Add the navigator and it’s another $15k (minimum).

I agree that’s a great combo, but it’s realistically $30k…$35k if the shop is busy.

I ended up going AV-30-C as my A&P was comfortable with the install (just did them) and has an in house resource to fabricate the harnesses.

These decisions are hard because the stakes are high. It makes no sense that a box of parts you can put in a shoe box can be worth 50% the value of the whole plane…but here we are.

[Max Clark]

2 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

Throw in some G5s a GTN 355 and call it a day.  It should be sub 20k and your planes value will go up 10-15k.  The rest if you amortize it over 10 years is a rounding error in plane ownership.  

I came back to type this exact thing.

2x G5s, and a GTN 355 or a GNX 375 depending on your comm and transponder situation. I've been flying an early model 172S lately and miss having the ADS-B IN.

Next step is a GFC 500 autopilot - the GFC 500 w/ the G5s and a modern navigator will get you everything you want.

[MikeOH]

2 hours ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

Throw in some G5s a GTN 355 and call it a day.  It should be sub 20k and your planes value will go up 10-15k.  The rest if you amortize it over 10 years is a rounding error in plane ownership.  
 

If you aren’t periodically updating your panel then you are devaluing your airplane in my opinion.  Anything now that doesn’t have a WAAS GPS navigator and a couple glass instruments is now sub standard in my book and I think the general market is about there as well.  
 

The relative cost has gone down and the utility has increased greatly.  To me it just doesn’t make sense to have a VFR Mooney anymore. 

Just offering a different perspective:

I think it's going to be well north of $20K...likely over $30K.  So, yeah you'd get $10K-$15K 'back'.  But that's 'funny money', bottom line you're out $15K-$20K.

Hmm, sure you won't get as much for your plane without all the glass but that's not how I'd define 'devalued'!  That implies it's going to get less than you paid for your plane!  Pretty doubtful that's going to be the case

Yes, relative cost of this stuff is more attractive but it's still a huge percentage of what many of us paid for our 'seasoned' aircraft.  If you are a VFR only pilot I think a VFR Mooney makes perfect sense!

[AJ88V]

54 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Just offering a different perspective:

I think it's going to be well north of $20K...likely over $30K.  So, yeah you'd get $10K-$15K 'back'.  But that's 'funny money', bottom line you're out $15K-$20K.

Hmm, sure you won't get as much for your plane without all the glass but that's not how I'd define 'devalued'!  That implies it's going to get less than you paid for your plane!  Pretty doubtful that's going to be the case

Yes, relative cost of this stuff is more attractive but it's still a huge percentage of what many of us paid for our 'seasoned' aircraft.  If you are a VFR only pilot I think a VFR Mooney makes perfect sense!

Yep.

I'm not instrument rates, but that's on my very near term plans.  One for the basic utility;  it's really needed on the East Coast.  Two for the insurance, especially since I'm rapidly becoming an 'older pilot'. Three for the discipline and proficiency I likely lack as a VFR-only pilot.  And four for the challenge and the excuse to fly more.

And who was it mentioned buying into a Piper Pacer or some such as partner?  That also sounds like fun!

[Max Clark]

I spent years trying to financially justify buying a plane - it's impossible, at some point you just got to do it because you want it.

I did my instrument training in a Cirrus with the Perspective+. Flying approaches with the tightly integrated avionics and autopilot really changes your perspective on things. So for me my upgrade decision started around getting a modern autopilot and then trickled out from there.

BTW I'm finishing my commercial right now in a 172S. Looking down and seeing 92kts indicated is cracking me up. I'm not going to talk you out of getting anything with an IO-550.

[Pinecone]

On 12/13/2024 at 11:11 PM, hubcap said:

I am 63 years old. I upgraded my panel because I wanted to fly with the best I could afford for the last part of my flying years. I love it and no regrets. 

I am older than you, but the same thing.

I WANTED a top of the line panel to enjoy.

When I finally sell the airplane, if I don't get what I put into it, so be it.  I ENJOYED the plane for many hours and trips.