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I had another chat with the seller today.

I offered to give him a deposit while I sort out some importation stuff...but he stated that there's a party taking a look at it Saturday. This person looked at it before...pre my contact with him...so he didn't feel right about taking a deposit from me...fair enough.

So...the question of course is -- should I make him an offer before Saturday conditional upon a pre-buy?

Sound crazy? Well, Bart's review was that it essentially was in average condition for it's age...and the asking price matched the bluebook price.

I do like the '63s...and my search as of yesterday turned up 3 of them. I inquired about a '63 today in Canada...and he wanted $21K US for a ~ 3500 TTAF, 1860 TSMOH, no photos...sounds like a lot.

I am a believer in fate, Rob. It is a good looking airplane. But not a good enough buy to rush into a purchase. There are deals you must jump at when they show themselves, (of which I am very familiar!). But this is not one of them. I would let the other buyer do his looksie. If he passes on it, then take your turn. If the plane is meant to be yours, it will be! If the other buyer get's it, then that means there is still another airplane waiting fo you to find it!

You know, Rob... we can give our opinions, but it's up to you to determine if it's worth what they're asking.

If you think this plane is worth purchasing, even if you want to make it conditional on a prepurchase inspection, you could offer to send the seller a check for a deposit to secure your "second-in-line" status. You could do so with the understanding that, in the event of sale, the seller return the check to you (you might even include a self addressed, stamped envelope to facilitate such return.

That way, if the Saturday lookers aren't interested, you could arrange for the inspection and go from there. I want to know exactly where I stand on something like this. I'm sure you do, too. Make the offer of a deposit, and if he tells you he doesn't want your money, just ask if you could assume that you'll be number two to look at it. If he's an honorable man, he'll let you know if there are others ahead of you. If there are no others, he may just tell you that you're number two without asking.

When I bought my plane, I first found out about it at Clinton, 2005. My 152 had just been destroyed by a renter, and I was looking. When Wayne W. told me about it, it took a while to warm up to the idea of 150 horsepower, taildragger, STOL, LR tanks....etc., but once I did, I nearly couldn't sleep because I was worried that the seller would sell it to someone else who happened to get there first. Problem was, the seller wasn't exactly ready to sell it, yet. It would be sold before the end of the year, but no exact date. Let me tell you, it was a nerve racking 4 months. I did ask the seller if I was number one to buy it, and he gave me his word that I was. Still, I didn't tell anyone other than my very closest friends. There were even some very close friends that didn't know...I wanted to keep it a secret until I bought it. The seller held true to his word, and the rest is history. But, with the right buyer, and the right seller, finding the right airplane is a dream come true!

I hope you find the best plane for you! Given the vintage you're exploring, you're headed in the right direction.

Good luck!

Rob, sit back, bid your time. The guy that is looking at it on saturday,, doesn't realize it yet,, but the seller will most likely not adjust pricing very much, if at all,, because he knows others are chomping at the bit "you Rob" to buy it. If you're bound and determined,, you know what you need to do,, spice it up a bit, not to much mind you,, and contingent on pre-purchase,, Hey, I'm bad, when I want something,, I go for it,, On the flip side, having been in your position I know what it feels like,, seems like forever and seems like it'll never happen. Honestly,, it will, and if not this one, you're going to find another that you'll be very proud about being the owner. I'm with you,, feel for you as well,,,, Let us know how you make out,, I've got to go over to Calgary next weekend,, I'll be driving right by Springbank,, "check it out, you'll see where it is", I could stop in and have a look see, always need an excuse,,

Ya I reached the same conclusion as I slept on it last night.

Let's wait and see what happens with this guy...and re-evaluate.

Thanks dudes!!!!!!!

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/unprotected/specs/48672.html

See...I've already prepared myself to move on.

I found this one on Trade-a-plane:

- 63 150C
- 4000 TTAF
- 1226 SMOH
- 58 STOP
- No transponder
- Last annual Aug/06
- $13,800

The paint looks like it's pretty much finished...but at least it's not purple!!

I'd be OK with the TSMOH, as I'd fly it only 50 hours or so a year...so paying a premium for a "fresh" engine may not make sense for me.

Rob,, as indicated,, sit back if this one doesn't come back to you,, There are a lot of nice ones that come up. I'm really happy with mine,, 100% happy,, but I do know that if I had of waited,, I would've got one just as good,, I watch this all the time,, and there's always one that comes out that you say to yourself,, boy I wish,, For example,, and this is in my case,, These other folks on this forum that have 150/150 hp's,, they have no idea how lucky they are,, So, in retrospect,, If I did this again,, look out you owners of the 150hp 150's. Still, I'm very happy with mine,,, Rob,, just keep in mind,, it's a major purchase and I'd have to say for probably 80% of owners,, the only one they'll ever buy,, so Rob, make it the right one,,

It is often amazing what a reconditioning wax (Nufinish and the like) can do to bring up tired paint.

We haven't heard anything from Mr. Hoyt lately, have we? I wonder if he bought that plane?