Intel on this airplane?

[bnicolette]

Does anybody have any intel on this airplane?  I have a friend that is highly interested in going to see it.  I know it hasn't been flown very much in the last couple years but it needs and overhaul anyhow.  Or at least it's close to TBO.  He would be buying it with the intent of taking it right to an engine shop for the overhaul.  Apparently it is an older gentleman that owns it and is not very fluent on getting documents out in emails or knowledgeable about pre-buys?  I guess when her first talked to him the guy said he didn't want anybody ripping his plane apart to do an inspection?

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/Single+Engine+Piston/1989/Mooney/M20J+201/1543729.html

[jetdriven]

I get home in two days I will be glad to look it over.   At least I can try to find any deal killers.  PM me

[GeorgePerry]

Year + Condition + Price = Great Value.

Assuming of course there are no "big" show stoppers or surprises.  If I were in the market, this one would be at the top of the "lets give it a look" list.

[gjkirsch]

The pictures look really good.  Flight Aware doesn't show any flights after 2009.  It just seems odd, the pilot is instrument rated, with a commercial and is an instructor. 

[Txbyker]

Where is it hangared?

[Skywarrior]

He bought it new from the factory. I guess this is the only plane he ever owned.

If he doesn't want anybody opening it up, he's either delusional or doesn't really want to sell it that badly.

He lives right next to Ellington Field, so it might be hangared there.

[jetdriven]

I imaginr airplane transactions have changed greatly since 1995. Back then, you kick the tires, go around the patch twice, make sure there was three logs in the bag, and write a check there and fly away.  Who cares if the fuel pump went bad or a flap motor, heck the factory could ship you one tomorrow for 99$. Heck a new engine was 11,500 overhauled.     Now, its a whole new ball game.  I bet he just doesnt know better.

[KSMooniac]

Wow, that looks like a nice time capsule.  It appears the owner has just flown it as it came and it might be a great airframe to update.  I like the cosmetics, too.  One note of caution, in addition to the engine concerns from lack of use, those nice King gyros might need attention very soon as well once they start spinning again.  Any prospective owner might want to consider an Aspen in lieu of sinking many thousands into overhauling those...

[Jeeper]

It needs a cylinder.   Looks to me like there are better buys out there, when factoring in the dated panel, prompt TBO consideration, lack-of-use decay aspects.   I'd be prepared to have $130k allotted to get this plane up to snuff.

[jetdriven]

WTF are you kidding? A 1995 for 80K is too high?  What  is it worth, then?  Cause you know, you have to put 130k into it and get 210k to be worth your while.  

 

Or alternatively, what is a better buy?

[Jeeper]

Look again.....1989 model.  Appears to have spent it's entire life on the gulf coast......corrosion kinda comes to mind.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Maybe Vref should have a deduction for FL or gulfcoast Plane deduct 20k for corrosion. You guys are out of your mind with these perceived corrosion issues because of where a plane is located.  

[bnicolette]

My airplane was based at Meritt Island Florida since it was born in 1982 until February of 2011.  However, it was treated with Corrosion X every year/other year and hangared, but there was NO corrosion issues with it.  The only part that looked bad was the yokes.  Everything else was great according to the MSC that did my prebuy and annual.  So, while I would take a bit of extra caution with a aircraft based near the salt water, I would not rule it out.

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Brett-

I'm on the east coast.  Use corrosion X as well.  Just had 208-B signed off on AGAIN.  NO CORROSION

[DaV8or]

Corrosion isn't that hard to look for. There is an awful lot of value in good, clean, original condition. This plane looks to have that. Still... the no inspection part is tough one to swallow. If you're planning on a new engine and the logs look clean and complete as well as the airframe, I personally might take this risk. There are a lot of places to look and checks you can do without tearing into a Mooney and get an idea of condition. I imagine he would not be against taking the cowl, the battery access cover and a few key inspection covers off right? I would think he mostly doesn't want his interior torn up or the motor opened.

$80K seems pretty fair for a clean J needing a motor. I guess it all depends on what you want your end result plane to be. Is it to be a value packed working machine full of updated features, or is it to be a super sharp show plane you will treasure for years to come. If it's the latter, planes like this are just the ticket. 

[Becca]

Quote: DaV8or

Corrosion isn't that hard to look for. There is an awful lot of value in good, clean, original condition. This plane looks to have that. Still... the no inspection part is tough one to swallow. If you're planning on a new engine and the logs look clean and complete as well as the airframe, I personally might take this risk. There are a lot of places to look and checks you can do without tearing into a Mooney and get an idea of condition. I imagine he would not be against taking the cowl, the battery access cover and a few key inspection covers off right? I would think he mostly doesn't want his interior torn up or the motor opened.

$80K seems pretty fair for a clean J needing a motor. I guess it all depends on what you want your end result plane to be. Is it to be a value packed working machine full of updated features, or is it to be a super sharp show plane you will treasure for years to come. If it's the latter, planes like this are just the ticket. 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Not my post

[Becca]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

Or he's hiding something.  There are some sketchy mechanics in our local areas.  There could have been a lot of bad maintenance decisions in there.

[John Pleisse]

Unless it has been dipped (flood), I'd roll the dice. $80k is an exceptional price and all focus should be on the airframe. Run the FAA file, spend 2 hours with a flash light looking inside and another hour with the logs.

Engine- $28K (reman), One updated radio-$12K, tanks- $10k, 1 really bad annual-$8k and -11% if damage hist found

Get it for $80 or a hair less and you'll be on value (worst case), updated and fixed up. Exceptionally low time frame, great vintage. If I were starting over....yes.

Just be as careful as you can.

[DaV8or]

Quote: Becca

On the "clean" plane front - the panel is original.  I got this advice when we bought our plane and I continue to believe this.. buy a plane with the avionics you want.  Avionics do not add value to the plane at 100% the cost of purchase/install in the same way paint or engines do; (I've been told to assume the avionics hardware retains the purchase price value, but the install cost is a loss).  So if you want to upgrade the panel in the next couple years, you might as well buy the panel in the plane.  If you can live with the panel for a couple years, that's fine.

[Becca]

Quote: N4352H

Unless it has been dipped (flood), I'd roll the dice. $80k is an exceptional price and all focus should be on the airframe. Run the FAA file, spend 2 hours with a flash light looking inside and another hour with the logs.

Engine- $28K (reman), One updated radio-$12K, tanks- $10k, 1 really bad annual-$8k and -11% if damage hist found

Get it for $80 or a hair less and you'll be on value (worst case), updated and fixed up. Exceptionally low time frame, great vintage. If I were starting over....yes.

Just be as careful as you can.

[bnicolette]

Okay guys & gals.  The guy that had that last airplane has not been in contact with my friend, so either he sold it or doesn't want to sell it.  SO, my friend is moving on.  He came across this one and we may fly up to see it tomorrow.  Just looking for some sound advice from my comrades.

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/Single+Engine+Piston/1983/Mooney/M20J+201/1528921.html

We are going to have another active Mooney driver in our mix pretty soon.  He is chomping at the bit but not so much so that he will rush into anything.

[Skywarrior]

29 years old, 1500+ hours = 50 hours/year.

Says NDH, but there's an FAA incident report that mentions wind gusts to 28 kts. (1978)

I might offer $85K.

 

Chuck M.

[bnicolette]

Quote: Skywarrior

Says NDH, but there's an FAA incident report that mentions wind gusts to 28 kts. (1978)

Chuck M.

[Bolter]

Quote: Skywarrior

29 years old, 1500+ hours = 50 hours/year.

Says NDH, but there's an FAA incident report that mentions wind gusts to 28 kts. (1978)

I might offer $85K.

 

Chuck M.