Looking seriously at this one

FlyNE said:
137 SMOH. Waaaaay faster. 430, a/p, HSI. Strikefinder. 60% of the asking price of the 177. (ugly paint).

http://www.controller.com/listingsd...-EXEC-21/1968-MOONEY-M20F-EXEC-21/1151684.htm
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Very nice looking panel! Garish color, but could be worse. Not sure if it's "waaaay faster", maybe 140kts vs 130?

I have to say that's the best deal I've seen yet on a Mooney. In fact, given that's a '68 M20F and with that panel and new interior, I wonder if there isn't something seriously wrong with it.

I'm still leaning toward the Cardinal.
 
Buy a nice Warrior equipped with steam gages for about 30-35 thousand. Warriors are built tough in order to survive the clumsy handling of people like myself, so it will last you a long time.

So what if it doesn't get you there fast, the fun is in the flying, not getting there. "There" is usually just an excuse to go flying anyway, isn't it?

Spending just 30-35 grand will put you in a position of not needing partners, you fly whenever you want, no scheduling at all.

You could even buy an old warrior for next to nothing, then trick it out with new paint, a new interior, new engine, and a new panel and be within your budget. You would still need partners though, and if you can't find them, there is no way in heck you could sell a Warrior for 90 thousand. You'd be stuck with a real nice airplane.

John
 
jesse said:
What is worst case on that (provided something isn't really really jacked) 10k?
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About that. $11k will get you the O&N bladders installed, and that includes the long-range version (adds 8 gallons or so total).
 
John Baker said:
Spending just 30-35 grand will put you in a position of not needing partners, you fly whenever you want, no scheduling at all.
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Actually there is no acquisition cost so low that I wouldn't need partners. It isn't really a question of when, either. I look at ownership cost and acquisition cost very differently. Ownership cost is money spent, gone, out the window. Acquisition cost is money invested -- a rather risky investment, I admit, but not an expenditure. So I notice the cost of mx, hangar rental, insurance, right away, knowing they could be a fraction of what they are if only I had partners. I won't do that indefinitely (will voluntarily stop doing it long before I reach can't), which is why if I can't make a go of co-owning I'll cut my losses and sell.

You could even buy an old warrior for next to nothing, then trick it out with new paint, a new interior, new engine, and a new panel and be within your budget. You would still need partners though, and if you can't find them, there is no way in heck you could sell a Warrior for 90 thousand. You'd be stuck with a real nice airplane.

John
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But from the way I look at it, it's not within my budget, and for exactly the reason you state. I'll never get the money back that I put into that panel. So I won't do it, and unless I could buy a Warrior with that panel I'd never buy one. A Warrior isn't quite in the class of airplane I'm looking for anyway though -- if you're thinking Piper, think Arrow at least. But I'd never buy a cheap airplane with steam gauges and put in my dream panel. I'd much rather let someone else do that, and then buy their airplane.
 
Well, I think your probably right about that. It is without a doubt a buyers market right now. You should be able to find most anything you want at just about any price you want to pay, if you have the cash or a line of credit. Few people have either, so the ones that do can make downright C.S. offers and probably have them accepted sooner or later.

There are an awful lot of folks who are desperate to unload their toys and finding few takers who have the wherewithal to pull it off. I am sure you will find exactly what you want at the price you want to pay.

John
 
azure said:
Very nice looking panel! Garish color, but could be worse. Not sure if it's "waaaay faster", maybe 140kts vs 130?
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Efficient? Yes. Waaaay fast? No. 10-15kts won't make much difference over typical flights, I'm willing to bet.

I don't think the price is crazy. I think it's realistic. They've sunk money into the plane that they'll never get back, and they know it. It's priced to sell. Nice. Reliable landing gear too!

And WHO doesn't like Mandarin Orange???!!!:D

(I just hate that mailbox-slot-sized opening for the door on Mooneys.)
 
The pre-buy was today. My mechanic (a Cardinal owner and specialist) gave it his blessing. This looks like it's going to be the one. Now all I have to do is get out there and see it (and fly it) for myself. A kind PoAer has volunteered to fly me out there on a day off, but springtime wx in the NE/Great Lakes being what it is, getting the timing to work out may be difficult. I want to be able to seal the deal and fly it home the same day and avoid extra trips. The seller has promised that it's mine if I want it, but I don't want to take excess advantage of that. So some compromise may be needed. Wish me luck y'all. :)
 
Liz: Good luck! One of these days, I too will be a Cardinal owner.
 
Awesome. You know what's coming, though....



:needpics:
 
Good luck. My most-recent buyer representation assignment was completed yesterday. I just returned with the ferry flight of an A-36 to Dallas from New Jersey, where we did the visual inspection, test flight, pre-purchase inspection, final negotiation of squawk list and related issues, closed the transaction, transferred funds, completed paperwork and flew it back to Dallas in less than 48 hours. Could have done it in 30 hours if WX hadn't caused us to RON in Lexington, KY. Not looking forward to any more 9-hour schleps in a Bonanza anytime soon. They aren't particularly roomy in the front and seat position options are limited.
 
azure said:
The pre-buy was today. My mechanic (a Cardinal owner and specialist) gave it his blessing. This looks like it's going to be the one. Now all I have to do is get out there and see it (and fly it) for myself. A kind PoAer has volunteered to fly me out there on a day off, but springtime wx in the NE/Great Lakes being what it is, getting the timing to work out may be difficult. I want to be able to seal the deal and fly it home the same day and avoid extra trips. The seller has promised that it's mine if I want it, but I don't want to take excess advantage of that. So some compromise may be needed. Wish me luck y'all. :)
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GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Pictures?
 
RMCN172RG said:
Good luck.

The weather early next week looks promising :D
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Yes, but unfortunately the seller will be down in FL. I'm hoping for the week after. By then, maybe I'll even be completely over the bug that's been bugging me for the last month. :(

Pics will be forthcoming when the deal is sealed... :D
 
wabower said:
Good luck. My most-recent buyer representation assignment was completed yesterday. I just returned with the ferry flight of an A-36 to Dallas from New Jersey, where we did the visual inspection, test flight, pre-purchase inspection, final negotiation of squawk list and related issues, closed the transaction, transferred funds, completed paperwork and flew it back to Dallas in less than 48 hours. Could have done it in 30 hours if WX hadn't caused us to RON in Lexington, KY. Not looking forward to any more 9-hour schleps in a Bonanza anytime soon. They aren't particularly roomy in the front and seat position options are limited.
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Beats a 9 hours schlep in a Warrior:skeptical: BTDT
 
azure said:
I see the point about familiarity being maybe not so important. My thoughts were mainly: transitions to very different handling aircraft are when many people prang, and time in make and model will help to keep insurance reasonable. I have about 100 hours in a Cardinal RG. I've looked at Mooneys as well but find that most planes newer than about 1975 with the kind of panel I'm looking for are asking well over $100k. Also I really do not like single door airplanes, or ones with doors on only one side (especially the WRONG :D side).
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I started out looking at 172's, then Ercoupe's, moved to Aerobat's and now own a Mooney. It was a strange and bizarre flight.

What happened is that as I started looking, analyzing my mission requirements and checking my wallet, things changed. Initially, I thought I couldn't afford a Mooney, thought I wouldn't like the low wing and thought the cockpit was just too small. Well, all that went out the window and now I fly an unbelievable Avgas sipping hot-rod that turns heads when I pull up to the ramp. Not saying you should get a Mooney, but look at everything--and I mean everything--and put any bias you may have aside until you fly the plane you are thinking about.

I strongly recommend that you sign up at www.what2fly.com and learn how to use the comparison feature.

Looking back, I cannot imagine my recent 700 NM trip to Florida putzing along in a 152 Sparrow Hawk instead of mach .28 in the Mooney. I used to think that being able to do an aileron roll at will was neat until reality set in.
 
Warrior? Pay me $50/hr and I'll fly your Cub to California. I just need to learn how to fly a tailwheel first.

Of course if I actually need to get to get somewhere on my schedule I might want something a bit faster... :)
 
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