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And, here's the lovely interior that Shelby installed. You guys were right, he & his mom do great work. Highly recommended. (my buddy Max has his mug in the picture.)

And, here's a part of our trip back from West Helena, AR (just SW of Memphis, TN) across the lower section of the Smoky Mountains in far SW North Carolina. Yep, they are lovely to fly over at 7,500 ft.

Congratulations!!!

Looks Great.
Hope to see it in person next July at Clinton

You REALLY hit the nail on the head with this advice.

I wish I had a five dollar bill for every time some well intention, but unrealistically hopeful first time 150 or 152 purchaser has bragged to me about how they "got a great buy". Translation: they payed $18,000 for a 5,000-7,000 TT, 1,000- 1,400 SMOH (or any major work for that matter)plane. All Logs? Nope! Damage history? Yep!

Fast forward one or two years and invariably, these "Bargain shoppers" end up investing another $4,000 or $5,000 to make the plane halfway mechanically right.

"O.K.", you say, "but they're still into their plane for less than $22,000 or $23,000". Yes they sure are. But now they've got this kind of money tied up in a plane that still has damage history, incomplete logs, high total time, average paint/interior and STILL has a major or looming in the not so distant future.

What about all the time the plane was down for repair?

None of the advice above fit's everybody's situation!

Any and all of the advice above will fit somebody's situation.

If you've got money, it (sometimes) makes more sense to spend it up front, rather than spend more later (not always).

But, if you don't have the money, you can't spend it!

I will not give up flying just because I'm broke most of the time (call me stubborn). I may have to postpone flying for awhile (like right now), but I will fly again! Give me one good reason why I should buy something that will tie me to the ground with payments I can't afford, when I can buy something JUST as mechanically sound (but maybe not as pretty) for a whole lot less money (and pay cash, maybe). The only thing that suffers is my pride (not really), and I don't give 2 cents (if I had it) about my pride at 3000' agl! Who cares! High dollar does not now nor has it ever meant a guarantee of high value! A diamond in the rough is still a diamond. The Hope diamond was just another rock at one time. The only real difference is the labor! I've got labor to spare (and most of the education to use it).

If you really want value for your money, spend it on an education. Learn what makes an airplane work, and what's important about it. Low times, pretty paint, complete logs, no damage history, leather interiors, new plane smell, and the latest avionics, do not make an airplane fly. These things do raise the cost of ownership out of grasp for many of us. If we want to own at all (the only real way I can afford flying), we have to buy from the bottom of the pile! There are "diamonds in the rough" down there. You just have to be willing to look at them for what they really are! Here's the one I found advertised in March, 2000.

"N6184G, 1970 150K, 3400 TTAF, 950 SFREM (chrome), compressions all 70's, autofuel STC, NO damage history, NO hail damage, logs since day 1, 50 hours as trainer (maybe), strobes, wheel pants, MX300 digital dual nav/com w/flip flop, Narco transponder, encoder, 2nd Narco nav, knots/mph ASI, electric clock, Narco ELT, 3LMB in com panel, stereo intercom with stereo input, new tires, new battery, 1 year old glass, EGT, interior 7/10, exterior 5/10, fresh annual, cockpit cover, parts and service manuals, $14,500 firm."

I went to New York and inspected and flew this bird, paid my money, and flew her home to Florida. The people on the ground couldn't tell she needed paint, but a lot of them suspected I was having the time of my life, and they were right! Everything worked (not just halfway, either), and that's all I needed. I flew her for 2 joyous years, then as money got better, I started restoration. Many of you have followed my on again, off again, saga. Some of you have even visited here at Haller's "Midway Island". I was forced to retire, and the money has dried up some, but I'm still making progress. I have a complete airplane (actually, 2, or 3?) and they and I will fly again, and they will make me just as proud (for probably around $20k total investment each after restoration) as the next guy who paid much more to start with, and still doesn't have a "restored" airplane! I mean, face it! Why are most of us in this club? Because most of us can't afford P-51's! Is there separation of the classes among 150/152 drivers? Jeesh! I hope not (but I do see evidence of it)!

No, not all advice works for everyone. Do what works for you, and be more understanding of those who don't (or can't) do things the way you do!

Don't get me wrong! I'm not upset! But, there's more than one way to do anything, and money is a touchy subject (especially when you're broke)! If I did it the way some of you suggest, I'd still be wishing instead of flying! (Well, preparing to fly, anyway!)

Bargain Basement Buyer, and proud of it!

[Linked Image]

Heck ya, Carl.
I got 3924U with 1200 hrs on the tach with the idea that I'd put a few hundred hours on her, get my time, and turn her back out to pasture. Well, she has doe eyes, and I'm a sucker, so she's still mine well after my need was met. I'm planning out two or so years (and then some for the engine) from now over what I'll be doing on her. Got her for 15.5, and have sunk in about three grand on various items of maintenance (much known I would have to take care of). There's more to do, but its gotten manageable (change mags out next year, etc).
I'm down to about two hours of flying in my plane a month for now. Its hard to fly an hour only, every other week. Its all I can do for now, though. I'm trying to save money just to get some Nuvite...that's what I'm excited about! HO hum, the commanders fun, and sometimes I think how great it'd be to just go somewhere besides my route, but its not mine; 24U is!

Actually, I just got back from flying with my wife. I've started teaching her. We're young, but every time I see a bill my heart feels like its gonna pound out of my chest, so I figured I better make sure she can fly it and land. Incidentally, she loved it....

Carl I've been meaning to reply to your post, but the weather has been unusually nice this past week here in Michigan and I've been out flying. In Michigan, we need to take advantage of these rare stretches of nice weather while we can and I purchased a buy and fly plane for EXACTLY this reason.

Clearly, my post has upset you. Your comment, "Don't get me wrong! I'm not upset!" sorta let the cat out of the bag. Typically, people who are not upset do not end a statement like, "I'm not upset!" with an exclamation point.

Look, I was in no way trying to imply that there is only one way to buy a plane or even that there is a "best way" to buy a plane. Each of us have our own goals and motivations with regard to why we fly. Each of us buy/fly within the constraints of our own budget. I get that.

Pilot's purchase planes for various reasons. I have good friends who don't fly 20 hours a year, but derive immeasurable satisfaction from working/tinkering on their planes. Other friends, would rather not touch a tool and get their satisfaction from flying. Both approaches to aviation make perfect sense to me.

My point was simply this. One way or another, you are in fact going to spend (invest?) a lot of money on this passion that we refer to as "flying". Whether or not an aspiring plane owner wants to invest most of this money up front by purchasing a buy and fly plane, or go the other route and be a proud "bargain basement buyer"- to use your words- is really a personal decision.

I don't believe anyone said or implied, that planes with "low times, pretty paint, complete logs, NDH, leather interiors and new plane smells" fly any better or worse than "Bargain basement planes" (your words again).

But here's the thing, although many of us tinker with our planes, MOST of us are not A&Ps. I was simply trying to caution those aspiring to buy a plane that UNLESS you happen to be an A&P, be very cautious of the alleged "bargains" out there.

If as an A&P you are comfortable spending time 3000' above the earth in a "bargain basement" plane (your words again), my hats off to you.