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There is a nice 150 on aerotrader.com. I couldnt figure out how to get the photos here but the N# is N6242G. There are pictures on this website of the plane also. If I had the $$ Id probably go for it. Someone with knowledge tell if this is the kind of deal I should be looking for. Its clean, Low time, the panel actually all matches, good avionics, and I love the paint scheme..someone lend me some cash!!!!

She's a nice looker, however NEVER let yourself be caught just on looks. The asking price is a little steep, but not completely out of line. Worth a look, I'd say.

Here's the link: 1970 150K on Aerotrader [adcache.aerotraderonline.com]

I googled N6242G and this airplane is for sale all over the internet, and apparently has been for sale since at least May, 2007. It's even on Airliners.net [airliners.net]

The owner (Spencer Aviation?) should be motivated to sell, but that hasn't been reflected in a lowering of the price. The price seems high to me by 6 or 7 grand (probably why she's still for sale), but I may be out of touch with values. No way is the GPS and flap gap seals worth that much extra money!

Billy, what is your mission statement?

If this is "the" airplane that totally fulfills your mission requirements, then the price is almost irrelevant, but don't discount less expensive airplanes that do the same thing as not worthy of your effort, and don't pay new prices for used avionics! Beauty is truly only skin deep in an airplane, and can hide a multitude of woes. Good original paint is worth more to me than fresh paint and costs less (you can't see what's hidden by fresh paint.)

It's not unlike dating! Look for the inner strengths, and if she happens to look good in the light of day without makeup, then so much the better.

Ummm, I'm going there today to get my old Magneto back from the shop on the field. DLZ is where I started my primary training many years ago. I'll see what I can find. Don't ever remember seeing that one on the ramp though.

great advice Carl as alway..love the dating thing..

I guess my 'mission' Is to find a good low time airplane with as little wrong with it as possible. Id like to limit my search to 1967 and newer. But if a dream machine came along that was a 1966 or so, Id be stupid not to give it a look. I would consider an airplane with maybe 40% or so left on the engine before tbo. To me that would be plenty. When I get and aiplane I would imagine not braking 100 hours a year. Would you say thats average, low, high?
Like I've said, Im asking alot of questions and probably not the correct ones because Im just starting to look. I have to plead ignorance when it comes to knowing what to look for in an airplane..but thanks to all of you, Im slowly picking it up, and I appreciate you all.

I don't know how long you've been looking, but it is very important to NOT be in a hurry! Take several MONTHS to familiarize yourself with any aircraft type you're considering buying, whether it's a J-3 or B707! The longer you prepare yourself, the fewer questions will pop up when the right plane comes along.

Believe me when I say you don't always get what you pay for! There are solid 150's on the market for $17,500 (they may not LOOK that great, but they're solid!) There are also Cessna 150's that are works of art on the market for $50,000, but that's no guarantee they'll even get off the ground!

Your first criteria should be a solid airframe, and a 1/4 to mid-time engine second. Airframe time doesn't mean anything on a 150 or 152, but higher times do help lower the price. Forget zero time since overhaul, due to infant mortality. You need at least a couple of hundred hours on an engine to prove it's reliability and economy. Anything more than mid-time drops the price a lot, but stay away from high time engines that are coming up on TBO. Overhaul at TBO is not mandatory, and high times don't mean the engine isn't solid, but it's obvious you will need an overhaul sooner rather than later.

There are too many good airplanes out there with complete logs to consider anything else. The more meticulous the logs the better. There are no deal breaker AD's to worry about, but they should all be signed off anyway. Avoid planes with recent long periods of inactivity which are hard on airplanes and engines, unless it can be proven that the airplane was properly preserved during storage and properly restored to flight, such as after an overhaul or restoration.

Don't pay extra for avionics or STC's you don't want or need! Don't take any web-based appraisal as accurate. Prices vary by location, season, and even stock market and other trends. Price ranges are very wide for similar airplanes, so when you find one you like with a high price, there is one just like it at a lower price.

Do ask the club membership for help! You will usually find sombody near the airplane that either knows the plane, or is willing to go look at it for you. Do plan on a pre-buy inspection with a third party mechanic. Never take the owners mechanics word on anything unless you know the mechanic, and then still get a third party inspection! Plan on an expensive first annual anyway!

Google the "N" number and serial number, and use the club's database to find pertinent information. Assume nothing! Ask questions, and put no money up front until every question has been asked and a satisfactory answer received.

100 hours in the first year isn't unusual for a new owner, expecially if you fly to Clinton! 50 hours a year is about average, I think (unless you fly to Clinton!).

Fly at least 100 hours a year. It's pretty much essential to engine health... plus it makes your hourly costs go down!

I really dont know how to thank you all enough..I'll have to buy you all a big ribeye up in Clinton for sure...I really do appreciate the help guys. This is not something I want to jump into at all. I wont be ready to buy for months but Im wanting to do the homework now. Your help is very much appreciated.

Billy,

I looked at your avatar and hobbies (flying, fishing, hunting, music, drums, 5string banjo). You, Ed Pataky, Gary Shreve, and some other members will make quite a band at Clinton.

I flew up to DLZ but that plane was not on the ramp. It was later than I had hoped so most of the shops were closed. Billy, if you want me to look at that plane and get pictures for you, just say the word. It's just a short "hopp" up the road for me. ;-)