What's the deal with Canadian Mooneys?

[Buster1]

As some of you know, I am researching the Mooney K's and searching for the right bird.  I see a lot of Mooney's in Canada.  There are at least 4 or 5 nice K's in Canada right now on the combined standard selling webpages.

My question is: Why are the Canadian birds much more expensive?  I've "V-refed" a few and the prices for the Canadian ones are all higher than V-ref, whereas the US based birds are priced a little closer to V-ref.

Prices are in USD and not in Canadian Loonies (that's what the dollar coins are called...I've "thrown" a few). Don't ask.

Additionally, I think I saw something here before, but not sure.  What's it take to buy a Mooney in Canada and 'repatriate' it to the US?

[KSMooniac]

I have no idea why Canadian birds might be priced higher right now but would speculate that the exchange rate might have something to do with it if they're all a bit higher.  Beyond that I haven't a clue...

As far as repatriating one back to the US, I believe a full conformance inspection is required.  Think of it as a super-annual.  I'm not sure if a regular IA can sign for it or if a FSDO needs to get involved, but basically the airplane is inspected rigorously to make sure it conforms to the type certificate and any & all mods or updates have all of the proper paperwork (ie 337s, STCs, etc) in order.  I've heard that it is a PITA but doable, but many folks have recommended to just find a US plane and not bother unless the plane is truly special and priced right.

[Ned Gravel]

Buster:

It is about the exchange rate. 

A Canadian Mooney driver that is parting with his bird might say, for example:  I bought this airplane for $95,000 Cdn when the Cdn dollar was worth 0.75 USD.  Now you want me to sell if for $85,000 Cdn because our dollar is now worth 0.95 USD?

It is the US dollar value of the a/c that governs.

[fantom]

Quote: Buster1

My question is: Why are the Canadian birds much more expensive? 

[Buster1]

Quote: edgargravel

Buster:

It is about the exchange rate. 

A Canadian Mooney driver that is parting with his bird might say, for example:  I bought this airplane for $95,000 Cdn when the Cdn dollar was worth 0.75 USD.  Now you want me to sell if for $85,000 Cdn because our dollar is now worth 0.95 USD?

It is the US dollar value of the a/c that governs.

[KSMooniac]

I agree that the plunging dollar is likely to blame...the Canadians are probably pricing their planes at close to what they originally paid years ago +/- upgrades or use deductions, and the plunging dollar now makes that appear to be overpriced to us.  The Canadian certainly doesn't want to take a bath simply because the dollar is now weak.  A US seller/buyer combo won't see the same thing since both are dealing with US dollars.  (overall market decline ignored for the sake of discussion)

[Ned Gravel]

Buster:

Value of aircraft is USD.  Price is CDN.  Whenever USD falls, then price must also fall in order for the Canadian Mooney to be marketable (to both Cdn and US prospective buyers).  Otherwise, a prospective buyer can just cross the border and import the same model from the US (with whatever inspection/import penalty goes with such a decision) with similar "goodies" for that much less cost.

The really, really hard thing for a Mooney driver parting with their bird is to lower the price (Cdn $ price) because the market value of his bird is determined by the value of the US dollar.  90% of a/c market is in the US.  Y'all set market values and we just follow along.

This OK?

[RobertoTohme]

Quote: KSMooniac

As far as repatriating one back to the US, I believe a full conformance inspection is required.  Think of it as a super-annual.  I'm not sure if a regular IA can sign for it or if a FSDO needs to get involved, but basically the airplane is inspected rigorously to make sure it conforms to the type certificate and any & all mods or updates have all of the proper paperwork (ie 337s, STCs, etc) in order.  I've heard that it is a PITA but doable, but many folks have recommended to just find a US plane and not bother unless the plane is truly special and priced right.