Can't speak for John, but I purchased a 1977 C150M last summer. Standard VFR package, very clean in and out. Only 3600 total time, 375 SMOH. STOL kit (not something I would have done, but the previous owner loved it). 1 year as a trainer (best I can tell). I paid between $20K and $25k. Probably paid to much but plane was close so I did not have any cost to go get plane and bring it home.
Seriously looked at three other 150's before buying 63U. Two were in bad shape and they were asking $22k to $23k for them. Don't know if they have been sold but I don't think they will get more than $18k for either one of them. Neither seller would budge on their price, even after I showed them a much nicer plane in their price range. And I had cash in hand and told them I was going to buy a plane from somebody.
Third plane was a SparrowHawk. Found out it had been crashed twice, once into the trees. I was not interested in plane with a lot of damage history, so seller and I never got serious. He was asking $25.5k. Plane was a little rough but was 125hp.
Followed for sale sites while I was looking. Less than good 150s do not seem to move quickly. Nice clean 150s that are reasonably priced do not seem to stay on the market long.
I think I could have gotten a better deal if I would have held out and looked at more planes. But I was burning money renting while I was looking.
Only my observations while I was buying my 150. Lot of high time, original paint and interior 150s out there. But nice clean 150s are getting harder to come by.
Just my opinions.
