What kind of plane to purchase?

[PhatAJ2008]

Looking into purchasing a plane in th near future...
I am probably going to train on it for an instrument and commercial rating. Would you suggest buying an older cessna or piper for under $100k, or an SR20 for $150k. I probably wouldn't use it for much more than training. I assume the maintanance of older aircraft is more, and they also may not keep their value like a newer aircraft.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[deadstick]

If it flies, floats, or...fornicates --RENT IT!!

You can get a Seminole for about $100k and get twin time, too. It'll probably run you about $250/hr with mx, fuel, insurance, mx...

 

[Junkflyer]

A 172 in good ahape is hard to beat. You don't anything fancy for a trainer, just reliable easy to fly airplane.

 

[JimNtexas]

A 172 in good ahape is hard to beat. You don't anything fancy for a trainer, just reliable easy to fly airplane.

Or a Piper Warrior if you prefer the wing on the bottom.

By and large renting airplanes sucks big time.

If you can find a parter or two that you get along with then shared ownership is the best way to go if money or time are considerations for you.

 

[JimNtexas]

"an instrument and commercial rating"

If I recall correctly you need a 'complex' retractable gear airplane to get your commercial. But it's only a few hours, so rent that.

You don't want a retract for your first airplane based on what you've posted here.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Start simple.
A quality C-172 is a good start.
If you need to upgrade to a nicer and/or more
complex aircraft in the future, the depreciation
of the 172 will be minimal.

CE

 

[PhatAJ2008]

How will the depreciation be on an SR-20?

 

[propsarebest]

Got a question for ya, And I don't by any means mean to come off like an @$$hat, by why the stiffy for the SR20?? That thing is the doctor killer of this aviation age. If you really want to spend that kind of cabbage, you can get a REAL nicely equipped 182, which will do a whole lot more.

 

[Junkflyer]

I don't know your experience level, but obviously still training which means a Cirrus is too much airplane for you. Too many people with more money than hours buy them and then ball them up. Stick with a 172 around 50-60k, fly it, then sell it. You will not lose too much on the value as long as you take care of it. Just think of a 10% depreciation on 60 grand as opposed to 150 grand it still makes sense.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Agreed ^^^^

If not C-172, then PA-28 series (I love the Dakota)
or take the high road and buy a nicely equipped
Husky (I love that plane).

Just remember to research the price of annuals for
each. Keep in mind that constant speed props and
retractable gear usually cost an extra $2000 or more
on an inspection.
(I'm being conservative)

CE

 

[time builder]

How will the depreciation be on an SR-20?

If he's looking at one for 150K, I'd say it's already done a lot of depreciating.

I used to fly with a flying club, it was a big chunk of money to join, but it saved me a lot. It was a pretty good comprimise between buying and regular renting. That and the club had high performance planes that the rental places didn't offer.

 

[PhatAJ2008]

Got a question for ya, And I don't by any means mean to come off like an @$$hat, by why the stiffy for the SR20?? That thing is the doctor killer of this aviation age. If you really want to spend that kind of cabbage, you can get a REAL nicely equipped 182, which will do a whole lot more.

Found one at a near by airport in excellent condition for being six years old... Plus may use it on a few family trips and it seems more comfortable than a 172. But we will keep looking.

 

[propsarebest]

The 182 is MUCH more comfortable than a 172. I like the fact that it's a lot wider than a 172, so you are not always bumping elbows with your seatmate. and you can't beat a IO-470, unless its an IO-520

 

[PhatAJ2008]

So you would buy an older 182 than the cirrus?

 

[Rxflyer]

You may be more than a little surprised at the insurance hit on a Cirrus ! That may convince you to go with a Cessna or Piper instead.

There was an article in Aviation Consumer a year or two ago comparing insurance costs of a (new) 182, SR-20/22, and a Mooney, I think. The Cirrus was, as I recall, 3x the cost of a 182 ! (Cirrus' have a pretty spotty accident record, and the repair costs are astronomical - if you can find a qualified shop to do them.)

 

[Flyin Tony]

You can pick up a nice comanche 250 for aroun 70-80K

 

[JimNtexas]

The 182 is MUCH more comfortable than a 172. I like the fact that it's a lot wider than a 172, so you are not always bumping elbows with your seatmate. and you can't beat a IO-470, unless its an IO-520

A Cardinal is roomier than a 182, and cheaper to operate.

 

[propsarebest]

A Cardinal is roomier than a 182, and cheaper to operate.

That is true, and the RG is one sexy lookin machine. It just needs a bigger engine though.

 

[propsarebest]

So you would buy an older 182 than the cirrus?

Ohh hayellll yes I would. You can take it in the backcountry and do all sorts of neat stuff with it. Besides, chicks dig it.

 

[JimNtexas]

That is true, and the RG is one sexy lookin machine. It just needs a bigger engine though.

That's true, the 182 is a four fat person airplane, the cardinal is 2 fatties and a skinny.