Help Me Find My Plane (No Buyer Brokers Please)

[HopePilot]

Month after month passes and yet I still haven't found my plane.  The largest part of the problem has been finding a plane that hasn't been sitting for an extensive amount of time.  I need something on the lower end of the market and I'm trying to avoid something that will come back to bite me later on.  I'd really like something turn-key, but if the price was low enough, I'm flexible. Most buyers don't like the idea of having to do a major overhaul on the plane they just buy, and while I'm not crazy about the idea, I'm willing to go through it if the 30k is truly factored into the price.  Anyhow, here's what I'm looking for:

1978 or later 201, all logs, airframe: less than 4000 hrs (yes, I know it's arbitrary), engine:  less than 1000 SMOH, autopilot with altitude hold, not in need of paint or new interior (must pass wife screening through), everything should work, no rust, all ADs, newer shock discs, fuel tanks not in need of attention.

Would like:  No damage history, speed brakes, gps, southwestern U.S. plane

Approx.:  70-80k.

Anybody seen a plane like that from a realistic seller (i.e. not trying to get you to pay full price for their upgrades)?  I check the traditional sites (Trade-A-Plane, Controller, Global Plane Search) on a daily basis.  Yes, I've thought of an F, and almost bought one, but I really want a J (for some of the reasons I'm not looking at '77s anymore).  Help!

[Mooney65E]

For Sale - $67,500, N201SL; 3954 TT; 540 SMOH; IFR; 4 Seats; Great fuel efficient aircraft, No damage history, hangared.

Ronald Burt

Phone: (509)586-6737

or (509)430-1362

For Sale - $67,500, N201SL; 3954 TT; 540 SMOH; IFR; 4 Seats; Great fuel efficient aircraft, No damage history, hangared.

Ronald Burt

Phone: (509)586-6737

or (509)430-1362

For Sale - $67,500, N201SL; 3954 TT; 540 SMOH; IFR; 4 Seats; Great fuel efficient aircraft, No damage history, hangared.

Ronald Burt

Phone: (509)586-6737

or (509)430-1362

Call Ron @ 509-586-6737

He had a 78 M20 J in Kennewick WA for sale around Thanksgiving time. The plane was listed on Ebay for a week but the reserve $70K ????) wasn't met. Just under 4K TT and about 500 SMOH.

If you're flexible I'll sell my 65E (2700TT  300SMOH) Garmin 340,  IFR Garmin GNC300XL w/KI-206, KX 155 w/KI-209, Garmin 327, EDM 800, standby vac, stormscope, beautiful modern panel, 201 windshield, speed mods, and electric gear for 60K.

[LuvFlying]

I saw the headline and immediately was going to chime in on what helped me get my new Mooney.... but you beat me to it... the "Wanted" avatar.

That cracked me up!!

[Mooney65E]

I guess the cut and paste really does work.

[HopePilot]

Luv Flying, I got the idea from you!!!  Thanks!

 

FYI:  I looked into that '78 on ebay, but it turned out to actually be a '77 with some work needed.  

[Cruiser]

I went back and checked the July/09 issue of MAPA magazine. It has the most recent estimates for M20Js. You should be able to find some '77 & '78 models in that price range according to Jimmy Garrison, All American Aircraft. Anything newer will be above $80k. There are five listed on ASO right now. Have you tried working with a dealer? Sometimes they can be a great help in finding what you want.

 

TomK

[HopePilot]

I've spoken to many dealers about many specific planes, but I haven't wanted to limit myself to just one dealer.  I've come very close on a couple of occassions to finding the exact bird, but someone always seems to beat me by a couple of minutes.  Other times, it looked like the right plane until a little digging.  It'd be nice to find someone who's just decided to sell their plane (at an awesome price) and would like to avoid paying a broker fee by selling straight to me.

[Parker_Woodruff]

You could take a chance with this one and hope you could get a couple years out of the engine...Say if you could get it for $65k, you'd be $15k under max budget with another $13k or so to save for overhaul time...maybe you could stretch the engine over a couple years.

 

1978 M20J, Garmin 480, Garmin SL30.

[HopePilot]

Hey Parker,

I've been talking to that guy, but he hasn't sent me any photos (something about not being able to find his camera).  I'd be interested if he'd ever return my e-mails.  I'm pretty sure I'd have to rebuild it ASAP, as I fly over water quite a bit (to go to KSBA and KAVX).  Also, the emergency landing options aren't too good here in LA.

[dlthig]

I keep browsing as well.  This one is over your budget, but worth a look.

http://www.greatscotsaircraft.com/201.htm

[HopePilot]

I've also been watching that one in NC, but it doesn't have altitude hold and it's above my budget.  I like it, but for 99k, me thinks it should hold altitude.

I don't suppose anyone lives near that J in KY?

[flashf16]

A little outside your budget, but you may be able to get him down close...(from Barnstormers)

Search Results MOONEY 1978 M20J • $89,900 • PRICE REDUCED • For immediate Sale TT 2730 SMOH 950. Full IFR. KFC 200 Auto Pilot Flight Director System. 3M Stormscope, Shadin Fuel Management. KMD 150. King Radios. Speed Mods. Excellent Paint and Leather Interior. Too many items to mention. You can't find a better 201. Reduced from $97900. to $89900. for quick sale. • Contact Lee Wilson, Owner - located Flint, TX USA • Telephone:  903-714-9903  903-714-9903 .  903-839-9979  903-839-9979 .  903-258-9993  903-258-9993 • Fax: 903-839-1767 • Posted January 1, 2010 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchlist • Report This Ad • View Larger Pictures

[HopePilot]

It's really amazing that you guys have nailed almost all the top planes I've been looking at.  I've also talked to the broker about this plane and was about to make an offer (on the 78 in Texas) until I found out it had been sitting for the last couple of years.  It hasn't flown 50 hrs in the last year so I'm hesitant to go to the top of my budget.  I haven't ruled it out, but I'm hoping something else will pop up (that hasn't sat unused and interior doesn't make my wife cry).

[Jeff_S]

I've found that with the limited supply of nice J's on the market, and only a few well-known outlets by which most of us can take a look at them, the good ones actually have some competition. I actually got into a competitive bidding war on one that has recently been discussed here in the forums. I finally decided to back out because it was the first plane I'd seriously considered and I decided I needed to survey the market better to know exactly how to value the planes.  I did finally make contact with the eventual buyer, and he joked that I had cost him $6000 but at least he could confirm there WAS another buyer in the process.

Because of that experience, though, I've kept pretty mum on which exact plane I've zeroed in on. However, assuming the pre-buy and closing process goes well in the next few weeks, I will no doubt toot my horn when it becomes a reality.

[HopePilot]

I think you're probably right about not posting anything really interesting that has potential, until it's a done deal.  Maybe I should just have everyone PM me if they hear of anything?   I really appreciate everyone's feedback, and I guess I've just come to the conclusion that I need all the help I can get.  My original goal was to find a plane by Christmas.  Now I'd be happy to find it by Easter.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: 16LPilot

I think you're probably right about not posting anything really interesting that has potential, until it's a done deal.  Maybe I should just have everyone PM me if they hear of anything?   I really appreciate everyone's feedback, and I guess I've just come to the conclusion that I need all the help I can get.  My original goal was to find a plane by Christmas.  Now I'd be happy to find it by Easter.

[LuvFlying]

Patience is KEY.  I was seriously and actively in the market for over 6 months (following 6 months of mission make/model refinement).   I think many of the good birds will be sold via word of mouth. So let everyone know you are in the market.. your CFI, your airport manager, any A&P's you know... especially Mooney types, announce on boards (like you've done), etc.  It takes a long time - way longer than you want it too.  If I didn't find/buy the plane I did last month (and that was via word of mouth via this board), I don't know when I would.. I haven't seen one come on the market that I've liked since October.

 

[Ned Gravel]

I think you folks are going about it in the best possible way.  I started looking for my Mooney in March 2004 and I eventually signed the deal for it in February 2005.  In the interim, I found a great MSC to work with, went through eight offers and did five pre-purchase inspections. 

Isn't it funny that the way we buy them is the way we will fly them?

[flyby201]

Quote: 16LPilot

  Yes, I've thought of an F, and almost bought one, but I really want a J (for some of the reasons I'm not looking at '77s anymore).  Help!

[HopePilot]

Well, the '77 is a fine plane, but it doesn't have push/pull controls (which I favor and you get more leg room).  Also, the landing gear speed increased to 150 mph in 1978 and emergency gear retraction also changed.  Ultimately though, I wouldn't pass on a killer '77 at the right price (Parker knows I wanted one in Arizona, but missed putting down the deposit by minutes), but with no price discrepency I'd rather wait for the right '78 or later.  I figure if I waited this long...

[GeorgePerry]

Model differences withstanding, what's really important is your budget.  for example, If you have $75K to spend you can definitely afford one heck of a nice F model.  That same money will get you a tired J with issues.

Point being - Don't write off an "F" model.  When I started my search I was sure that I wanted a J...Then I heard about my current plane coming on the market.  It had been owned by the same individual for 20+ years, always hangered and obvisouly pampered it's entire life.  It was such a nice plane and the seller was resonably on the price so we did a deal.

I cruise about 145-150knots (5-10 knots slower than a comparible J model), but my acquistion costs were consderably less and the panel was better than average. 

I like the plane so much and it's been so good on maintenance (KOW) I haven't regreted my decision for a minute.

[Scottishflyer]

Quote: 16LPilot

I hear these guys may be flexible with their asking price. No, there's no ALT HOLD, but there are a lot of plusses: newly-overhauled engine (by TRIAD), new prop, Garmin 480 WAAS (with more features than the 530), speed brakes, recent paint and leather interior, etc. Good luck.

1981 MOONEY M20J/201 • $99,900 • PRICE REDUCED • S/N 24-1156, 4671-TT, 150-SMOH by Triad (2007), Prop 150-SNEW, Complete Logs, Always Hangared, Based in NC. Annual Due: 1/2010, IFR Certification Due: 5/2011. GARMIN 480 WAAS GPS, King KX155 N/C, Century 21 A/P Coupled to GPS & HDG BUG, WX1000 Stormscope, 2nd Altimeter, Backup AI, Dual GS, Strobes, 4-Place Intercom, Inflatable Door Seals, SPEED BRAKES, 2004 P&I, Sky-tec Starter, 943 lbs. Useful Load. Note: A Cabling Interface From a Panel Mounted Plug-In To The GNS480 Allows Access To In-Flight Weather From A Yoke Mounted Garmin 396. Partnership Dissolving. No Trades. • Contact Kevin P. McCray - GREAT SCOTS AIRCRAFT, Broker - located N Myrtle Beach, SC USA • Telephone: 704-794-8477 • Posted December 1, 2009 • Display Specs Page •

 

[HopePilot]

I'm not opposed to the right F model, it's just not my preference.  I was prepared to buy what I felt was the best F I've ever seen (STEC 30, Garmin 480w, perfect paint and interior, all mods, everything else you can imagine under the sun), but someone bought it the day before I had scheduled with the owner to see it.  Part of my reluctance to buy an F is that I know I can get the J I want, because I've seen them, only the timing wasn't right.  There is, also, what I would call, "The Xmas Factor."  Remember when you would ask for something very specific and then you'd get something very similar, but slightly different.   

[KLRDMD]

Quote: LuvFlying

 

I think many of the good birds will be sold via word of mouth.

 

 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Yes, be careful about planes that have flown few hours in the preceeding year(s).  However, for what it's worth, mine's been nearly trouble free for 200 hours after I bought it this last February.  It had flown about 50 hours in the preceeding 4 years.  Granted, I did plenty of due diligence.  If it's been active every year until just this last one, I wouldn't worry too much if there's good reason for the seller to sell and good reason for you to buy.