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I'd like to get your opinions on this plane: http://www.freespaces.com/n68322/n68322.htm

I'm looking for something I can fly inexpensively for the next 5 years then sell and not loose my shirt as I plan to purchase something bigger once our family grows and finances allow I'm instrument rated so I'd like something /G capable and this seems to fit the bill but the price seems a little steep, what do you think?

Thanks for the advice!

No way. Wayyy to high priced, especially for the airframe time (not to mention it was obviously a trainer). The engine is mid-time, so not too bad but you can do much much better for less.

I'm in the market for a nice IFR 150 as well. About how much are you willing to spend? You can get into a nice VFR 150 with 6-pack instruments with low to mid-time engine (<900 hrs) for $18-20k right now easy (single digital nav/com typically). For $2500, you can buy and install a KLN-89B IFR GPS with annunciator/switch. /G is a great way to go. I feel perfectly comfortable flying with one VOR and a GPS. What would be best (though def not necessary) is if you could get a second CDI for a few hundred more to dedicate to the GPS. That would eliminate the need for the switch (though you'll still need the annunciator).

Dual Coms are great, but it really just depends how much you plan to fly in the soup with your 150 and how much useful load you want to use up. 1 panel com and a back-up handheld works for me since I don't really fly 150s hard IFR. Plus if you already have the panel apart for GPS install, it will cost next to nothing to get the shop to add a duplexer to the Com ant so you can hook up your handheld Com to the external antenna if need be.

Seriously consider buying a VFR 150 to upgrade IF all it needs is a GPS. Just because it's not currently IFR certified doesn't mean a 2 hr pitot static, alt, and xponder check can't make it that way. There are very few /G 150s on the market. You may find yourself paying a lot or waiting a long time to get what you want turn key. Adding a used KLN 89B (or other IFR GPS) isn't that hard. Good luck!

On the engine I'm looking for a known strong performer in good mechanical condition with low to mid time. I hope to fly 100 hrs. per year for the next 5 years and don't want to overhaul it while I own or have to sell a run-out at or near TBO.

For instrumentation & avionics I need the standard 6 pack and a minimum of 1 good digital flip flop nav/com with CDI & glideslope. I'd also like an IFR GPS with CDI. I only plan on flying light IFR with the plane, enough to keep current and skills sharp. If I could get that package for less than $23K I would be happy.

Thanks for your input!

Unless you want the ability to file direct, I wouldn't worry about an IFR GPS since you're only flying light IFR. I have decided on purchasing a 150 with 1 nav/com (preferably a CDI with GS and marker beacons but not completely necessary as they're much harder to come by). Marker beacons are a cheap add on; DME is too expensive unless it's already in the plane (bout the same price as GPS). Anyhow, with that you can panel mount a Gamin X96 series WAAS GPS and keep the DB current. It's not IFR approved so you can't go direct if you're in the soup (unless they can finagle a radar vector with your "help" ), but it will give you everything an expensive IFR GPS will with minimum cost. You can pick up a 196 for ~$500 on ebay.

If you're only flying light IFR (in and out of clouds or VFR over the top), I have found this to be the best combination of safety and cost. I'm looking to only fly for a couple years like you, then sell, so can't invest into avionics. A good GPS, VOR, and flip flop nav/com can go a long ways. Especially since we're so slow in the 150. Plenty of time to flip the VOR back and forth to 2x check an intersection with the GPS.

Anyhow, just my $0.02. Hope it helps some. And hope we don't go after the same plane! Sounds like you want almost exactly what I want

Maybe this one's overpriced, or maybe not. 152s bring substantially more than 150s. That's a bunch of airframe hours though, no doubt about it. Looks to be in decent condition and reasonably well equipped for your purposes. I guess the question is can you find an airplane that meets your requirements for $5000 less? Probably so. I'd keep looking.

Hi Keith,

I like the plane, and the capable panel for your needs. I would want lower "engine" hours though for that price.

I consider over 1300hrs, to be about 3/4 used on the Lycoming. I know many will disagree, but for the purpose of flying and selling, you'll have a high engine time plane to sell.

If you bought this plane for $27k and flew it for 4-5 years, you would have about 1700 hours and (guessing) about a $22k value to the new owner. But, to fly all you want for $1000/year doesn't sound all that bad. That is why we choose to own

Good luck.

PS> I'm investigating Drupal.Org as a possible fit for me...!)

You're already planning to sell the plane, so what you really want to buy is resale value!

The arguments against this plane now (the higher times) will make it harder to unload when you decide it's time to sell, and the times will be higher then. The real question isn't whether the plane is worth the money now, but what will it be worth then? What will it have cost you in depreciation to fly this plane for several more years? To me, it's already worth less than the asking price now, although that might be high only to allow negotiating room.

I think the dollar amount depreciation would be less with a lower time engine and airframe (higher resale), cutting the cost of several years of ownership and being the better deal in the long run, even if you pay a little more up front. I think you can find what you're looking for (with considerably lower times and better resale value) for the same amount of money.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind higher times, or even a former trainer, if I'm planning to keep the bird for a long time for my own use. Birds for resale require better selling points!

Nice canvas. I wonder what it's hiding.

Seriously, that's way more than I would want to spend on a "well used" 152. I'd look elsewhere and see if I could find a better deal.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Do you think my expectations are realistic - a nice low time /G IFR capable 150/152 for 23K?

No, you can find one for that price. I've seen them. It's just a matter of being patient. There are surprisingly few IFR 150s out on the market at the moment.