Best $200k(ish) Airplane?

[Danb]

9 hours ago, Jetter2 said:

Stiff-legged Cardinals have a 180hp motor - the RGs have the 200hp engine. 

Most the Cardinal RG folks I talk to are averaging 145-150 KTAS.   Nobody denies how slippy the Mooney's and Commanches are -  but the Cardinal is only 1 of 2 strutless models they made - I think it surprises people. 

There is a STC to put a IO-390 in the Cardinal but I'm not sure its really worth it. 

"Mr Cardinal" has a video here showing ~ 153KTAS @ 70% power. 
His mods = Powerflow, Champion air filter, Hartzell prop (and a cool day).

 

 
 

The next guy is doing 147 KTAS @ 9GPH @ 50deg LOP / 66% Power @ 4500ft  - he was having obvious Tach issues in this video.   

Here is the same guy doing 157 KTAS @ 11.5k 

The first cardinal is gorgeous 

[hubcap]

3 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

Well I prefer Mooney - which is why it is what I have.  But the Cardinal is a very nice airplane.  Best looking Cessna and especially easy regress probably compared to any other small GA airplane I can think of.

Do not disagree. A lot of Cardinal owners are as enamored with their planes as Mooney owners. 

[AJ88V]

7 hours ago, exM20K said:

AJ with the S&C Bob reference from the wayback machine: FTW!  Just stay out of the Trubulence!

-dan

LOL!  S&C Bob!  Trubelence! At least somebody else remembers!!!

[M20F]

[Pinecone]

22 hours ago, Jetter2 said:

Gear door?  The 177RG has no main gear doors.

I do really like the big doors and how low it sits to the ground so you don't need to jump up into it like a 172/182.

He was talking about the wind grabbing one of the large CABIN doors and slamming it foward.