Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes New Member. Help me buy my first airplane.

You can buy a reasonably nice 150/150 for $35K if you are patient.

I bought my 1700 TTSN Cardinal a few years ago, and the low hours do not mean anything unless you are a collector looking for a pristine show bird. Remember that techinically, the engine manufacturers like to put "years since overhaul" into their recommendations too and 30 years since that engine has been touched would make me a little bit cautious.

Sounds like a great bird, and while it may be worth something a bit North of $25K, it certainly wouldn't be worth $30K in my book.

Tim,
That plane was indeed used for towing. I think the plane was very well maintained by this current owner. Phil changed the oil religiously every 25 hours and sent samples to be analyzed. I was told the result show nothing usual.
The patch on the top of the wing is from one of the accidents. The logbook entries seem to be complete in regard to those. As other members have said, that price range starts to open other possibilities.

Dang it Jeff! Maybe I should have waited?

Any ways! $35,000 for a Cessna 150? When very decent ones can be found for under $20,000? No matter how much money one pours into a Cessna 150, you still only have a Cessna 150., ((150HP conversion being the exception)

I think I have said enough!

I ran this through AOPA's Vref service and it came up with $27,163.15.

This plane appeals to me for a couple of reaons.
1. Low time = not abused by a flight school.
2. Decent looking paint and interior
3. Based fairly close to where I live so I can check it out in person before I buy
4. Sounds to be very well-maintained.
5. Doesn't appear to have any major upgrades to make it fit my typical flying needs.

If I could find a similar plane at a much cheaper price located 2000 miles away, I would have a very difficult time with either of the options--buying it sight unseen, or actually traveling across country to look at a plane I might not buy. I figure that buying locally certainly has to save me some costs.

Thanks for all of your input so far.

You can always use a "buying buddy" to check out an airplane that is not located close by your place. Most of us in the club would be happy to help. If, after they check it out for you, it sounds like a keeper, you could travel and see it for yourself, or not! I recommend this even if you find one close by. A second set of eyes is always better and they can make suggestions keeping the emotions out of the way.

Tim,

Let us go through your list, shall we?

This plane appeals to me for a couple of reaons.
1. Low time = not abused by a flight school.
Answer: Lots of planes like this out there.

2. Decent looking paint and interior
Answer: See answer for #1

3. Based fairly close to where I live so I can check it out in person before I buy
Answer: Is this worth $10-20,000 to you? No matter where you find an airplane, I would be willing to bet there would be somebody from this Forum close by willing to go and give it a looksie.

4. Sounds to be very well-maintained.
Answer: See answer for #1.

5. Doesn't appear to have any major upgrades to make it fit my typical flying needs.
Answer: See answer for #1

So, the way I see it, if having an airplane close to you to buy is the priority. And it is worth $10-20,000 or so extra to you to have this, then maybe this is your airplane.

Otherwise, I have no doubt that you can find an equal, or nearly equal, plane for a whole lot less money else where.

There is a 1979 152 with 80 hours SMOH, fresh annual, 20 hours on a new prop and some extras (not much) for $27,000 in my newspaper today. I'm thinking about buying it for the engine and prop. I'd swap the engine and prop with my 152 and re-sell the plane for $22,000.

Terry

There is also a 1968 C150H in my paper, 5580 TT, 1201 SMOH, new paint, $18,500.

Terry

Tim, welcome to the club. My wife and I are just starting to talk about buying, we currently rent. The first plane I found was low time, well cared for, and with a list of add ons such as new wing tips w/strobes and a new prop. The biggest plus was that after seeing where the plane was located I emailed a highly respected member of the club and he verified everything the add said. The price was $15,900. We didn't buy the plane for we are just starting to look and were not prepared to make the plunge just yet. Will I regret not jumping at this one?? Time will tell but as others on this form have said there will be more. The information on these forums is great. The plane you are looking at sounds great and if you buy it I hope you will be at Clinton next year to show it off!!! I would love to see it! --- TIM
P.S. As some members have mentioned lately, the 150 market seems to be turning into a buyers market.

Although the TT is impressive for being so low and would command a higher price, it is still a lot of money for a 150. I still think the 70 model Oshkosh plane in our classifieds is one of the better planes around and he's looking for offers and is asking 24K. Personally, I prefer a 152. A 150HP Aerobat is my dream plane.