Mooney Most Bang for Your Buck?

[fantom]

As usual, the answer is 'it depends'.

On your mission, on how many bucks you can comfortably afford, and on how you have defined 'best bang'.

So how about a:

[carusoam]

We need to start a Mooney club. It's first acquisition will be an M18...

-a-

[DaV8or]

These numbers are probably on the low end for such a partnership, but we run little to no reserve, so repairs and improvements are almost entirely out of pocket.

So, what happens when the motor throws a rod and one of your member says, "Ummm... I don't actually have at least $6,000 right now"? This is one of the ways that airplanes become dusty, filthy ramp queens, the likes of which can be found at every airport in America. Be careful out there.

[Super Dave]

So, what happens when the motor throws a rod and one of your member says, "Ummm... I don't actually have at least $6,000 right now"? This is one of the ways that airplanes become dusty, filthy ramp queens, the likes of which can be found at every airport in America. Be careful out there.

I agree that you need to be careful if getting into a partnership. If I couldn't trust my co-owners to pony up if and when the time comes, I wouldn't have entered the partnership without a healthy reserve. As far as airplanes becoming as you say "dusty, filthy ramp queens", I would venture a guess that more airplanes fall to neglect or abandonment from sole ownership than they do partnerships.

[AndyFromCB]

I agree that you need to be careful if getting into a partnership. If I couldn't trust my co-owners to pony up if and when the time comes, I wouldn't have entered the partnership without a healthy reserve. As far as airplanes becoming as you say "dusty, filthy ramp queens", I would venture a guess that more airplanes fall to neglect or abandonment from sole ownership than they do partnerships.

I agree, there is an F sitting right outside my hangar, collecting dust, owned by a local doctor. Don't know what the story is, but it's not lack of money, for sure. Been there now for almost a year. Sad. There is also a Bravo sitting inside my hangar doing the same. Have not found a single moment to go fly it last 3 weeks. I almost wish I could find a partner or a qualified dry lease. Same with sailboat, took it out twice last year, wrecked it both times. The saddest thing is I'm heading to the west coast tomorrow, flying Southwest. Can't justify $1500 of AvGas when the tickets are free. Actually, looking forward to it in some "sick" way. Have not been on a commercial flight in two years.

[stevesm20b]

All airplanes are going to cost money to maintain. The C model is probably the cheapest retract you can buy and maintain. I don't think you can buy a faster more economical airplane for the same money. That's why I own a Mooney.

[Marauder]

I agree, there is an F sitting right outside my hangar, collecting dust, owned by a local doctor. Don't know what the story is, but it's not lack of money, for sure. Been there now for almost a year. Sad. There is also a Bravo sitting inside my hangar doing the same. Have not found a single moment to go fly it last 3 weeks. .

There are a few like that at my airport as well. One enterprising young man got one of the owners to allow him to fly the plane for just fuel. It was good for the young guy since he was trying to build time (he flies corporates, but saw a big cutback in hours over the last couple of years) and it was good for the plane.

I have spoken to some of these dormant owners. Sometimes it is a medical thing that they hope will get resolved, other times it is just life being too busy. Money usually isn't the problem.

It is a shame to see this...