Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes To sell or not to sell

Talk about a dilemma:

For the past couple months I've wrestled with the idea of selling my plane and replacing it with a Maule or a 172. Why? I'd simply like to be able to occasionally take advantage of having more useful load being available. As some already know, my other passion is field training/hunting with Labrador Retrievers. I'd really like to be able to cart my labs along when my wife and I explore distant airports.

Anyway, a gentlemen (his young son actually) stumbled on to the listing for my plane in our clubs non-member classified section. He brought his wife and kids to look at my plane a couple weeks ago. I could sense he was very impressed because it was about 20 degrees in the hangar and he and his family stayed for about an hour. His initial response was typical of people who see 16G for the first time- "WOW!" (16Golf just has that affect on you). That night I told him that if he offered me a deposit, I would not accept it because I really needed to think things through and frankly didn't know if I was go to sell.

Last week, I flew to an airport halfway between us, took him up for about twenty minutes, let him fly a bit and then landed. Next day, he and his young son drove to my hangar, went through the logs and spent some time going over the plane. Long story short, he called me a couple days later and wants to buy my plane.

NOW, I'm REALLY wrestling with the notion of selling my plane. Turns out that the insurance on a tail wheel Maule is nine-fold (you read that correctly!) what we pay for our 150s. Insurance on a trike Maule is still five-fold what we pay. That really leaves only a 172 as a viable option. And flying a 172 is about as much fun as watching the Detroit Lions play football. But they do at least have a significantly larger useful load which would definitely accommodate my labs.

So here I sit, trying to decide whether or not to sell 16G and unfortunately, I have to decide quickly- the buyer apparently wants to wrap this up ASAP.

While in the process of showing my plane to this non-club member buyer, I've had three different club members call and/or e-mail asking for pictures and particulars. A couple have shown much interest, but I've flat told everyone that I wouldn't "play" two potential buyers against one another for the sake of making a few hundred dollars more. I've approached this by dealing with one potential buyer at a time. My wife and I agreed that whoever came to see our plane first would be the person that we would work with. In other words, there has been no behind the scenes negotiating going on with other potential buyers. All I've done is provide pictures and information to people who have called/e-mailed. But here's the thing, other than spending about $100 to list my plane in TAP about two months ago, I've put virtually no effort into selling my plane and the buyer and I have agreed on a price within $600 of my asking price. This makes me wonder if I'm selling my plane to cheaply.

16GOLF is an exceptional plane and I knew that as soon as someone came to see her that she would sell herself. I just had no idea it would happen with the first buyer! I know there are other really nice 150s around, but in two years of flying, I've never come across one as clean as 16GOLF.

The thought of being planeless is very unsettling. It took a great deal of effort to find 16Golf and the thought of going through all that again is very discouraging. I had to drive from MI to PA TWICE- twelve hours round trip! It's fun to dream and surf the web and browse TAP ads; but when it gets down to the nuts and bolts of buying a plane- the prepuy, log inspection, background search, the DRIVE to get to the plane- NOT FUN!

Anyway, my fear is that I'm letting 16golf go to cheaply. At this stage, I won't try to get more money for her, it's really comming down to the decision as to whether or not I want to let her go.

Just thinking out loud...

Mont

Mont,

If you're not sure, don't do it! You'll second quess the sale from now on, if you part with her now, possibly to the point of regret! You are a fair and honest seller, and you worry about not being fair to a prospective buyer who has spent time and effort to inspect your plane. That's admirable, but would be a lot less fair to you to sell when you're not ready.

You've tested the market, and know you can sell your aircraft when the time comes. Keep her until you find a replacement you can be happy with. You may even find a 172 you can trade for.

Once you've found a replacement, give this buyer first dibs, if he's still in the market. In the meantime, you can offer to help him find another plane, be his "buying buddy". You know you'll enjoy shopping with him, you'll get a better feel for the 150 market (and what yours is really worth), and you may find something you want in the process. IMHO!

You may have to come up with alternative financing for the difference you may not have right now, but that can be paid back once your's has sold, less a month or two's interest!

You may want to read this article (and it's sequel) before making a decision:

How Not To Sell Your Airplane [jonathanpaul.org]

Carl,

Thanks for the advice. I respect your opinion. This is definitely a tough one...

Mont:

Like yourself, and many others here, I fear the day when I'd have all the right ducks lined up in a single row, and a the desire to part with 93E.

Yes, I have wanted a bigger, faster aircraft since I bought 93E; however, after many months of hard work, and lots of money, I'd be hard pressed to find a better flying aircraft, than the one I own. Fact be said, there's nothing like a Cessna 150; it's sort of like my old VW Jetta Diesel. Yes it was ugly, dirty, and even worn.... but, I did have 450,000 miles on it when I gave it to our son, Tim.
Well, you know the rest of that story.... 16 year old kid, free car... not long until it was Toyota fenders.

That said, go with your heart. However, that story Kirk sent you too, sums it it well!

Good luck, and best wishes.

Herb

Have you checked the price of insurance on the 172?

With a value about double of the 150, and double the seating capacity (liability is in part based on no. of seats) you will probably find the 172's insurance about three or four fold the price of the 150 insurance.

Charles

I know, I know. Good point Chuck! This is just one of the reasons that I wrestling with the sell/don't sell decision. I love my plane. I mean, it's an awesome little machine and I'd be hard pressed to ever find an equivalent.

I just wish the useful load was a little more, well, useful !

Well, sounds like what you need to do, is buy the 172's engine, not the 172! (150 hp & 1760 max gross with the Del-Air STC?)

Mont,

I am one of those potential buyers who got some photos of your airplane. I am not sure why one of your reponders said that a 172 will cost several fold to insure compared with a 150: maybe he should look at EAA's Falcon Insurance which I am going through. I think you might be pleased particularly if you have time in the 172 and you are current.

I have the same concern as you: how can I take a load? That is why I am hesitating about your airplane since I cannot take my wife and daughter in it along with some bags. I am looking at several airplanes that may fit my bill. A 150 might, but I would have to leave either the baby or the wife behind. A 172 will burn more gas, but the maintenance costs will be the same and, if you only load it up to half its useful load (full fuel, you and a child), it will perform quite well.

A friend is trying to interest me in a package deal: a 1961 Beech Debonair and T-hanger purchase (not rent). Looks good to me, but I am afraid that the Debonair's operating and maintenance costs will eat my lunch. I am looking at a 172 myself.

Bottom line: Your next airplane will be your next love. Assure yourself of your buyer. If he is a good one, he will love your 150 as you have and he will take care of it and provide a good home. I would also agree to WAIT until you have your next airplane selected before you commit to selling: there is always a market for a good 150.

Steve

First off, I think you should change your oulook, Mont. I believe you should be asking "Buy? Or not to buy?".


And, Boy! Does this sound familiar! Justina and I were consistantly loading 72G to 1700 pounds or more. And she did it reasonably well. But sometimes thoses treees at the end of the runway was just coming too close to tickling her belly. We had the further problem of having to fly on a tight budget. After checking insurance, I very quickly discounted tail draggers. After more research, I then quickly discounted the older 172's with the O-300. They offered only marginally better performance that our 150. The Lycoming powered 172's were out of our budget range. The Piper Tripacer and Cherokee were considerations. I personally watched two Cherokees crash due to density altitude problems. So, I quickly threw this option out, if only for reasons of superstition. Plus, that wing really belongs on the top any how! The Tripacer? I really wrestled with this one. Lots of room with the back seat removed, (And I would only insure it as a two seater, thus saving money on the insurance). Really cheap compared to the Cherokee or 172. But, I had great reservations about that short wing. Any Tripacer driver will tell you their airplane has about the same glide ratio as an anvil. So, considering? Well yes. But not seriously looking!

Oh, what to do? I decided to run an ad in Barnstormers. The premis being looking for a STOL aircraft that would carry 700 pounds for under $25,000. A pipe dream? Yea! I thought so also. But, what I was really looking for was somebody to come forward with something unique. Something I had not thought of. A homebuilt maybe?

Well, I had a large number of responses to consider the Pacer and Tripacer. An odd homebuilt or two were thrown in, but none of these had any baggage room. Then things went pretty well quiet.

A few months later, out of the blue, came this offer to sell a 150/150 with new interior, a newly overhauled engine out front, and other extras. For $23,000? A joke? A scam? Following up found it to be a true offer. Thus, Triple Niner Echo Delta quickly become part of the family. ( Since then Gary has picked his lil 150 for....well.........hmmmmmm..........cough....cough! And now there is one for sale in Florida for $18,000. And they each have long range tanks!! ARGGGGG!!)

Any ways. The 150 has plenty of room for us. And, with the extra power up front, It obviously will carry the load required handily. 72G quickly found a new home with John Cramer. We were actually physically without an airplane for two whole hours!!

To make a short story long, do not get impatient. Don't put the cart in front of the horse and sell your airplane first. Wait! Look! Research! When the right plane comes along, you will know it! Then, and only then, make your decision. In the mean time your 150 is serving it's purpose and keeping you flying. DON'T GET IN A HURRY!! That would be my advice.