M20G advice

[Apollo]

Hey guys,

I've been flying an m20c out here in Abilene tx for my last 200 hours. (240 tt) as you can probably tell I fell in love with mooney early. 

 

Anyway, I'm starting to look to buy my own plane. I had never thought about the G, but a nice specimen has popped up on my radar.

 

 

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/listing?id=1542880

 

 

Are there any reasons to avoid the G model? Was wondering if they were under powered, or if they were a C with a little more room.

 

 

 

[OR75]

Personally, I am not a big fan of Narco avionics ...

 

[N33GG]

I have flown G models.  It is not a great match of airframe and engine, IMHO (sorry to all the G owners out there).  I would not purchase a G, even if it was a sweetheart deal.  Better to move up to an F if you want the extra room.  The long bodies just don't do as well with the 180 HP engines.  The short bodies (C Models) barely get away with it, and it is an adequate match of airframe and engine.  I would rather have an E, but the C is OK.  The G is too much airframe coupled with too little engine for me.

The G is indeed a Mooney, but it is a model I would avoid.  There are plenty of other great Mooney deals out there right now.

If you decide to go for a G, please fly it in various modes and altitudes, and compare its performance to your C. 

You pay your money and you take your chances.

As always, Caveat Emptor.

Now, all the G owners can flame me.

[gregwatts]

My opinion.......they are under-powered. They are the slower than the C model. The plane you are looking at......in my opinion.....is overpriced!

That said....if you can get a price adjustment from the seller, may be worth looking at. I would certainly have an extensive pre-buy done!

For what they are asking for this plane you can get a much nicer C model or possibly a comparitive F model.

 

And once again...............my opinion only!

[N601RX]

It seems overpriced for the equipment it has.  You should be able to get an F for that price.

[Apollo]

Thanks everybody for their opinions! I guess ill think about passing. A friend of a friend was selling it, so I could get at least down to 42. However, I'd rather a capable airplane than a cheap one

[Jerry 5TJ]

Ah, the old "C" vs "E" thread re-emerges in a slight variation called "F" versus "G."

I have owned one "C" and one "E".  Based on 800 hours in the "E" and 400 in the "C" I see little difference between them except that the "E" is much harder to start hot. 

These planes are all 40 or 50 years old now, so how they've been treated over the past half-century is far more important than the minor differences that distinguished them when new. 

If you can find a good plane, buy it. 

[rbridges]

just my 2 cents.  the SMOH and prop times look good, but otherwise it looks overpriced.

[N9453V]

I've owned a 1970 M-20G for about 2 years now and been very happy with it. I file for about 133kts TAS which is slower than most C, E and F models. I recently ferried an E model and saw about 140kts TAS.

The G is the slowest Mooney, but I'm not sure it's under-powered. The O-360 is a bulletproof engine, cheaper to overhaul than the IO-360 and less likely to need a top overhaul. Also, having room for rear seat passengers is a bonus. The max gross weight of mine is 2525 lbs and even in high density altitude conditions, I've been happy with the performance (I departed KDAY today with temps around 39C... took off in about 2000ft and was able to climb out at 95kts and 500fpm with CHTs all under 420F in climb).

I was originally looking for a C model, but found this one so well equipped (GNS430, STEC autopilot, EDM-700, HSI, etc...), the speed penalty was a small sacrifice.

-Andrew

[Oscar Avalle]

Both are great planes. When I was looking for an airplane to upgrade from my PA 160, I considered a G model... but then my M20C crossed my path. True  the G is a bit slower, but then you have more space...

[KSMooniac]

There is nothing compelling about that G in the ad whatsoever in my opinion, except a low time engine.  Terrible equipment, terrible cosmetics, and a relatively high price in the current market.  I've only ridden in a G once and it was underwhelming, to say the least, compared to a C, and especially an E or F.  You should go try one of the 200hp Mooneys before thinking about a G IMO.

[jetdriven]

I would buy a Piper Arrow first.  Cheaper to maintain, more room, and perhaps a cople knots faster.  Get an E or an F in that price range.  Jimmy Garrison's M20J valuator only shows a 1977 M20J worth 57k with 5000 hours, KX-170B radios, average paint, and a 900hr engine.  get one of those.

[Hank]

I've always thought of a G as a C with more room. The longer, heavier fuselage costs speed and climb rate; if it has the 64 gallon tanks, you'll have to watch loading more closely when the tanks are full but should have great range.

Pay attention to current and past G owners over the J crowd--they don't like anything that's not fuel injected.    But the O-360 is a good, dependable engine that cranks right up when maintained well. Don't overload it just because you have room for more stuff. That's a good point about the short-bodies—unless you are hauling books or tools, they are hard to overload simply because you can't fit the stuff inside! People, on the other hand . . .

I can only think of two G's here right now--the one above, and one with a pretty LSU-style paint job but don't remember his name. You've got good C experience--talk to them about their G and compare against how you have been flying.

As for price, Jimmy G has an article in the MAPA Log several times each year for different model ranges, or you can try VRef or AOPA or whatever. Not being in the market, I have no idea what anything is worth these days, other than "less than it used to be."

[Apollo]

Can you elaborate or send me to a link about these 'twisted wings.' I guess I don't know anything about that reference. I'll do a quick search and see if that answers the question.

[N33GG]

Quote: jetdriven

I would buy a Piper Arrow first. 

[KSMooniac]

Quote: JimR

Hank is right about us J owners. Once you have tasted LOP and fuel injection, it would be hard to go back.

Jim