Best a/c to buy under $35k?

[wrxpilot]

I'm getting to the point where I'd really like to puchase an a/c... I think it'll be a break even or better with all the renting I do, and it would be so nice to just go up whenever I feel like it and not feel rushed to get back. I'm also working on my instrument and will be following up with my comm. With that said, anyone have some recommendations?

I've seen some pretty nice IFR 152s around. Obviously not for hardcore IFR, but they seem cheap, I'd imagine parts are relatively plentiful, and they're pretty fun to fly. The models I've seen around $30k have pretty decent TTAF and SMOH times. Thanks!

 

[bigD]

I'm not sure that I'd get into it expecting to save money unless you're renting something like 200+ hours a year. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it (I'd love to own an airplane!), but I wouldn't look at cost as a motivating factor.

That said, I think you'd be better served by looking at a Cherokee 140 or such instead of a 152. It's bigger on the inside, it'll be a LOT better for IFR, and I don't think you'll see too much of an increase on the cost to operate.

 

[wrxpilot]

I'm not sure that I'd get into it expecting to save money unless you're renting something like 200+ hours a year. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it (I'd love to own an airplane!), but I wouldn't look at cost as a motivating factor.

That said, I think you'd be better served by looking at a Cherokee 140 or such instead of a 152. It's bigger on the inside, it'll be a LOT better for IFR, and I don't think you'll see too much of an increase on the cost to operate.

A agree, it can be very difficult to justify owning when looking purely at the financial side. But the way I'm crunching numbers, it starts breaking even around ~120 hrs/yr. Throw in the convenience factor, and I think it looks very appealing (even if I'll be eating Top Ramen!). I like Cherokee 140s, but they seem pretty hard to obtain for under $35k.

 

[bigD]

I've seen some late 60's mid-time engine 140's out there in the high 20's and low 30's. Granted, you can get a nicer 152 for that money, but I really think the extra utility you'd get out of the Cherokee is worth the slightly higher price.

152's are fun airplanes, though! I wish I had your dilemna!

 

[Cardinal]

An old beater Cub?

 

[wrxpilot]

An old beater Cub?

I'd love to have a cub, but I'm looking for something w/ an IFR panel.

 

[RightPedal]

I say the key is to have a good friend with an A&P-IA along with owning an airplane. You work and pay, He flys for fuel. That makes it much easier.
I can't justify ownership right now so I fly some friends airplanes when I can. I have a 152, 172, Cub, Luscombe and Stearman I can use from time to time so I refuse to play the rental game and pay their price.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Got a good Cherokee for sale under 35K. PM if ya want more info.

 

[NuGuy]

WRX,

Don't limit yourself to just 152's. Later model 150's (1977 and prior) are just as nice, and you can still find lower time 150s for $5-6k less than a 152.

Nu

 

[navigator72]

I have one for you

Buy a skydiving jump plane and rent it out to a dropzone. When the plane isn't being used for skydiving you could fly it. The link below is the skydiving plane is the jump plane I used to fly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63677&item=4549837705&rd=1

 

[avbug]

Oh yes, skydivers and DZ's are known for their lavish treatment of their aircraft.


Why a cessna 152 when you could get a nice Cessna 140 for the same or less money?

 

[falcon20driver]

Tailwheel, wouldn't waste a dime on a spam can. Once you've flown a real airplane you won't go back to a one with a training wheel up front.

Lot of nice IFR equipped tailwheel planes out there, someone I know just picked up a beauty IFR champ for 24K and it looks like new.

 

[User546]

I had a student who recently purchased a 1968 Cherokee 150 for $30,000. It had somewhere in the ballpark of 5,000 hours TT, and and about 900 on the engine (1,800 TBO).

Its not a bad aircraft, and is a good IFR training platform.

I also recently looked at a 1965 Cherokee 140 with about 2,800 TT in the $35,000 range.

Best advice is to get on the internet to all the aircraft trader sites and get a gauge of whats on the market for that price range.

 

[Shamus]

I know a guy at KFXE Ft Lauderdale who is selling a totally airworthy C-152 for I think $25K and it has one or two good VOR's in it. I believe the annual was done in February. Pm me if you want more info.

 

[LearLove]

Tailwheel, wouldn't waste a dime on a spam can. Once you've flown a real airplane you won't go back to a one with a training wheel up front.

Lot of nice IFR equipped tailwheel planes out there, someone I know just picked up a beauty IFR champ for 24K and it looks like new.

I have time in tailwheels but prefer 150/152 over 140's. Don't know why, just like the 150 better.

 

[falcon20driver]

I have time in tailwheels but prefer 150/152 over 140's. Don't know why, just like the 150 better.

I've never flown a Cessna tailwheel airplane, I have about 1,500 hours in J-3 and Super Cubs, I think Cubs grow on you, always have a soft spot in my heart for Cubs and Super Cubs, gonna try hard to have one of my own someday, a 180 horsepower J-3 is a blast.

 

[FN FAL]

Oh yes, skydivers and DZ's are known for their lavish treatment of their aircraft.

Yea, and all black guys are pimps and all latinos sell crack.

The three dropzones I flew and jumped at, took very good care of their airplanes.

 

[EagleRJ]

Yea, and all black guys are pimps and all latinos sell crack.

The three dropzones I flew and jumped at, took very good care of their airplanes.

I'm sure the MX is excellent at most DZs, but it would be the mission that would concern me for a used aircraft.

Take off near max gross, climb at full power to 10,000' at Vy in warm summer temperatures, level off briefly, and then shock cool the engine as you get back on the ground as quickly as possible, landing on a rough grass strip. Repeat 20X before sundown.

I don't know what the history of DZ aircraft making TBO is, but I suspect it isn't good. I would consider a modified jump aircraft only if leasing it back to the DZ made up for the wear and tear.

 

[Huggyu2]

If I may ask, why do you want the IFR panel in your $35,000 airplane? Are you planning on flying in hard IMC?

 

[Pilot_Ryan]

Being an airplane owner myself (remnant from my former career) I can tell you that it's unlikely you'll come out ahead of renting. Not saying it can't be done, but it's not likely. One of the most unpleasant parts of aircraft ownership centers around "surprise" costs that hit you when you least expect them, like new cylinders, prop overhauls, new radios, you name it.

Unless you have a nice cash mx buffer and are willing to part with a lot of cash if need be, I think you'd be wise to reconsider aircraft ownership in the course of pursuing your ratings. We're talking a few hundred hours max before you can start instructing and building time that way, so the risk is just not worth it most of the time.