Put ten pilots in a room and you'll get ten opinions on everything. I have an uncle who can get the best price on anything. Problem is, it takes him 6 months to do the research to save 10 bucks on a 100 buck item. The price an airplane is worth is difficult to appraise precisely with just a short description and a photo to go by. What condition are the logs in? How was the airplane used--was it flown regularly or has it sat for extended periods? How close is the airplane to you? How many similar aircraft are for sale close by? Can you inspect it in person or will you have to hire someone unknown to you and have it ferried cross country? Has the aircraft lived in a hangar all its life or tied up on the ramp? The list goes on and on. Gaining title to the airplane is only the first expense of possibly many others before you actually have the airplane in hand.
Some members have gotten incredible deals on aircraft and may be a little prone to expect everyone should be so fortunate. Why, I even heard someone scored a good 150/150 for 22 grand some time back! I think I would die of old age before I come across a deal like that but if you're willing to wait...
I paid 21 grand for a '76M ten years ago. Since then I've added an STC for autogas, new radios, carb heat temp, 4 new cylinders, 4 channel digital CHT new seats and carpet, and am presently replacing all the plastic instrument panel covers with custom made metal. Is my airplane worth what I put into it on the open market--heck no. Is it worth less than what I paid for it--heck no. If you haven't guessed, the most I'll ever say is whether it's in the ballpark or not. I've seen 150s priced at 60 grand and some at less than 10 grand. It could be the one at 10 grand is the one that's overpriced! Take what you get for "prices" here as a WAG and do the research to figure out what that airplane is worth to you. Good luck.
