First Plane Purchase Questions- Open to Advice!

[bigmo]

I’d look strongly at a Cherokee 6. Yea, they drink like a sailor, but you’ve got the capacity to bring the whole family on some great adventures. Relatively cheap to acquire and maintain. 
I love my Mooney. It’s a fabulous plane for my wife & I (we’re empty nesters), or the occasional kid or grandkid. It’s kind of like driving a Honda Prelude… If I still was raising kids, I’d own a minivan. And without a doubt, the Cherokee 6 is the Town & Country of the sky.

[WilliamR]

I 2nd the 6. They are cheaper than the other 6 seaters mentioned here. A 6/300 would be my preference and they are about a 135kt-140kt plane (at least the ones I flew and instructed in).

They have good range and carry a load. 

As a new pilot and prospective owner, I would encourage the use of a good broker unless you have a friend whose been around the block a few times and can help you navigate the process. It's a process. FYI, the most recent Flying or AOPA mag had an article for 1st time buyers. It's worth a read. 

A few axioms:

1. Buy your last plane first.

2. It's more expensive to upgrade a plane than it is to buy a plane with the upgrades. 

3. Just because a maintenance shop says they are a "Service Center" does not mean they are the best or even good. 

Unfortunately, the only J that was looking for a partner in the Atlanta metro that I knew of was recently sold.

Best of luck,

William - KPDK

 

[PeterRus]

1 hour ago, bigmo said:

I’d look strongly at a Cherokee 6. Yea, they drink like a sailor, but you’ve got the capacity to bring the whole family on some great adventures. Relatively cheap to acquire and maintain. 
I love my Mooney. It’s a fabulous plane for my wife & I (we’re empty nesters), or the occasional kid or grandkid. It’s kind of like driving a Honda Prelude… If I still was raising kids, I’d own a minivan. And without a doubt, the Cherokee 6 is the Town & Country of the sky.

Yeah, I'll second this. Mooney (any) aren't stuff haulers. There is a flying club at LZU: https://www.aeroventures.org/, I think I saw a post on FB about them adding a Cherokee 6 to their fleet at LZU -- I'd look into this option as well.

PS: I know it's a Mooney board and people have been known to fly  C model Mooneys comfortably with 6 suitcases and 5 passengers. (:

[Pinecone]

Hmm, maybe off the beaten path.  Get a 182 now.  It will carry 2 adults and 3 children with one of them very small.  See how things go.  You might find yourself more traveling with 4 people, especially as older one gets into teens.

Or the Cherokee 6/Saratoga or C-206.

But longer term, as the kids grow up, it will more the two of you visiting the kids, so plan on your Mooney later in life.  After years of slogging it out, the Mooney speed will be refreshing.

But I agree, you need to decide if you want to buy a plane to fly or to upgrade.

And looking at the responses, you are low on avionics.  I was at the top end of that range, and already had the 650Xi and G-5 for backup.

[1980Mooney]

On 2/17/2025 at 5:51 PM, tbenton1 said:

I did all of my IR training in a G1000 172 and my PPL was behind Dual G5's, GNX-375 and a GFC-500. I'm looking for a J model with at least dual G5s and a GFC-500, but planning to upgrade whatever I find with a decent suite of modern Garmin avionics. ....Questions: As I compare different planes, I'm trying to normalize the pricing by budgeting for panel upgrades, engine/prop overhaul, interior upgrades and paint. I've done some research and found some rough numbers, please let me know if I'm off base, and let me know how I should be comparing prices from plane to plane. 

1.  Avionics: $75-100K, varies widely, based on my goal for a 10" G3X w/ EIS, GI-275 Backup, GTN-750xi, GTN-650xi, GMA-350, GTX-345, GFC-500

 

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

And looking at the responses, you are low on avionics.  I was at the top end of that range, and already had the 650Xi and G-5 for backup.

Pricing and budgeting for avionics....$100K is low?...so you might advise $120K-140K?...or higher?   Why is everyone in GA normalizing their thinking to believe that you need to invest more $$$ in avionics than the rest of your plane combined?  Why does everyone think that you can't fly unless you have flat panels, the latest touch screens, the latest integrated gimmick from Garmin?  Why does everyone think you have to make Garmin and your avionics shop wealthy?

A GA plane has just become an aluminum or plastic can to wrap around the electronics.  It is no wonder affordability of GA aircraft flying continues to decline.

Edited Wednesday at 03:41 PM by 1980Mooney

[1980Mooney]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Hmm, maybe off the beaten path.  Get a 182 now.  It will carry 2 adults and 3 children with one of them very small.  See how things go. 

That is good advice.  Few like to discuss it on MS or Beechtalk, but not all spouses or families like, want or are willing to fly GA.  Some start out cautiously agreeable, but a bad experience (which can take many forms) can change their minds.  It happens.

[NickG]

If you're interested in a 6, I know of an available off market creampuff, previously owned by a major celebrity. It's located in Texas. DM me if interested

[Pinecone]

8 hours ago, 1980Mooney said:

Pricing and budgeting for avionics....$100K is low?...so you might advise $120K-140K?...or higher?   Why is everyone in GA normalizing their thinking to believe that you need to invest more $$$ in avionics than the rest of your plane combined?  Why does everyone think that you can't fly unless you have flat panels, the latest touch screens, the latest integrated gimmick from Garmin?  Why does everyone think you have to make Garmin and your avionics shop wealthy?

I was basing on what the OP listed as his desired setup.  And yes, it is a high end setup.  And no, you do not NEED a panel like that.  But it is amazing to fly with one.

The general rule of thumb is that the install price is about equal to the equipment price.  So add up the avionics and double it is a good starting point.

And there will be additions of thinking, well while things are apart, it is cheaper do it now, so why not.