I am a fairly new member to the 150-152 Club. I decided to join when I decided to purchase a Cessna 150. I have been looking in my local area but I haven't found a plane that really appeals to me yet.
I have seen some listed online that I think I would like and would probably buy if I could see them in person and my mechanic approved. The problem is that they are all far away.
I hate to fly all the way to Oregon to look at a plane that isn't right. It is so hard to tell by pictures.
Well John at least if you wanted to look at the Oregon planes you could probably get a cheap fare from DFW to PDX. Worth looking at? Who knows. I'd be inclined to look for awhile before expanding my search too far...but that's me. Maybe there's a member up north who can look at them for you easily (?)
Dan
Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities. (Mark Twain)
The three planes you referenced all looked to be pretty good ones. How long have you been looking for a plane? My advice is to take your time. There are a lot of planes out there and they will vary in price and condition. They always will look better in pictures.
It took me around 6 months to finally find a plane that I wanted to buy. I did not find one in the Houston area. I made trips to Wichita Falls and Victoria to look at several 150's and 152's. I made hundreds of phone calls to inquire about planes all across the US.
I finally found and bought a 152 from Pennsylvania . I found it on Trade a Plane. My son and I travelled from Houston to Pennsylvania to look at it. I made an offer on the spot. It was too nice to wait for someone else to buy it. I have attached a picture of my plane.
If you are going to spend $25000- $30000+ for the plane, it's not a lot to add in several hundred dollars cost to go find the plane of your dreams.
If I can help you in any way to find a plane, please advise.
Thanks for the tips. My search is fairly young. I have been seriously looking for about 5 weeks. I looked at a few in my local area and even had one pre-purchase inspection done last week. Nothing was really wrong with the plane I had inspected. I just would like to look at some more before making a decision.
Coincidentally, I will be in the PA area for the next couple of weeks so maybe I can put eyes on a few there. I guess even OH is a possibility if I stay over the weekend.
I'll post back and update the forum with my progress.
Thanks again! The Cessna 150-152 Club has already been a great resource. I look forward to learning a lot from you all....
N10951 [airplanemart.com] Nice bird, but too much money. For $32,500, I would expect a 150/150 or at least a Garmin 430 in the panel. Too expensive and you can do better. (Hope I don't know the seller or I am in trouble).
N5428Q [pilotmarket.com] This one is more in the ballpark. Newer radio, 0 SMOH (depending on what type of major), but original paint, albeit it doesn't look bad. $24,500 and you could fly this one for a while, plus low airframe time. I like it.
This one makes me suspicious. Paint job looks like a scratch and squirt over the old paint, or a very cheap job done by someone not very good at it (okay so the picture is at a distance...but the poor lettering and all white with no trim screams amatuer). Higher airframe time. Updated interior, but again poor quality it seems and weak radio's.
For $29,500 I would walk on this one.
Does anyone have any comments on these planes? Are the ones in Oregon worth taking a trip to Oregon from DFW to see them?
Ain't looking for an airplane fun? And there just doesn't seem to be a decent airplane in your area. Yep! Been there! Done that!
In looking at the price range you showed willing to pay for. I believe you can lower your sights a wee bit. We purchased 72G with a newly overhauled engine for $17,000. I really would not look to pay more than maybe $23,000 for a stock 150. Maybe a little more for a 152. There are lots of them out there. In the price range you are looking at, I believe you would be better off looking at an older 172. If we already didn't have our 150, that is what I would be doing.
Hello John: I am also in the market for a 150, at least I was last week. This week, I may have found a partner for a 172, but that's another story. I live in Norman, OK, about 30 miles south of where 5428Q is based. While I have not yet seen that airplane, I called about it back in November, 04. The person I talked to said that it had previously belonged to a pilot who never flew it anymore. He would come down and start it regularly, but never fly it. It was for sale for about $19,500 when I called about it and had about 1200 hours on the engine. I wanted to come up and take a look at it, but the guy said they had put it in the shop for a "top" overhaul. Sounds like they found enough wrong with it to give it a major. In our conversation, I commented that I thought the paint looked good. He said it was original and okay, but when you got close to it, it didn't look as good and he thought it would not "shine" if polished. Since it was in the shop and not available for viewing and had "dull" paint, I never went back to it. It is probably a better buy now at $24,500 than it was at 19,500 with the 1200 hours. If you are serious about the airplane, I would be glad to go up and take a look at it and give you my assessment of the paint and interior. I've been looking for about 7 months now without seeing anyting that I liked and for which I had the money. There is a nice 150 in Maine and advertised in the club classified, but I cannot bring myself to make an offer without seeing it, hearing it run, and flying it, and I don't have the time and/or money right now to make that trip to Maine. Finding one that is nice, in the right price range, and in a manageable geographic area is tough. You will find the club members very helpful though. I know that I certainly have.