Skymaster valuations

[Ed Coffman]

I was once told "if it has wheels, it ain't an investment"
________
Montana Dispensary

[K337A]

Here is a rare exception to the rule-

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...ritish-garage/

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...or-44-million/

[WebMaster]

Maybe Bonhams should be contacted when one wants to sell an airplane. They seemed to do quite well with the Bugatti

[stratobee]

I follow the 337 market very closely as I'm on the hunt for the right plane. I'm not in a terrible hurry, but will hopefully buy before the end of the year. Anyway, it amazes me how huge the differences are. Clearly many sellers are stuck in early 90's pricing and think that old aircrafts just appreciate, no matter how bad the times are.

This is an example of that:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-...#ht_500wt_1182

$60K for a 11.500hr plane with a clapped out rear engine? I don't think so. Even at half of that it would be a struggle.

Good thing is I see a lot 337's coming on to the market, so there's plenty of movement. This will probably increase as time goes on. Rightly priced, they're a lot of airplane for the money. Which is why I'm interested. My funds are limited as a first time buyer, so time is all I have on my side.

[tropical]

Originally Posted by stratobee

I follow the 337 market very closely as I'm on the hunt for the right plane. I'm not in a terrible hurry, but will hopefully buy before the end of the year. Anyway, it amazes me how huge the differences are. Clearly many sellers are stuck in early 90's pricing and think that old aircrafts just appreciate, no matter how bad the times are.

This is an example of that:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-...#ht_500wt_1182

$60K for a 11.500hr plane with a clapped out rear engine? I don't think so. Even at half of that it would be a struggle.

Good thing is I see a lot 337's coming on to the market, so there's plenty of movement. This will probably increase as time goes on. Rightly priced, they're a lot of airplane for the money. Which is why I'm interested. My funds are limited as a first time buyer, so time is all I have on my side.

So what do you consider "rightly priced"?

[stratobee]

Originally Posted by tropical

So what do you consider "rightly priced"?

That aircraft should not be much more than $30.000 with those times, in my opinion.

Compare the above to this aircraft:
http://www.skymaster.com/aircraft.asp?control=46

[Roger]

The P is not bad. Put $50-60G's in it, radios, engines, etc., and you would have a pretty good plane for $110g's. Of course it is still a P, so it has a limited value like a P210 vs a regular or turbo 210. But for certain missions, the P is a great plane. Just not that user friendly, and the maintenece and insurance can eat you alive if you're on a budget.

And no i'm not dissing the "P" , just trying to give some advise to a newbie who doesn't seem to have yet experienced the expenses of a plane, which is even worse than a boat.

[tropical]

Originally Posted by stratobee

That aircraft should not be much more than $30.000 with those times, in my opinion.

Compare the above to this aircraft:
http://www.skymaster.com/aircraft.asp?control=46

If you bought this Skymaster you are looking at putting in about $50,000 to bring it up to standards. Of course, that's a conservative estimate.

[tropical]

Originally Posted by stratobee

My funds are limited as a first time buyer, so time is all I have on my side.

If your funds are limited, owning ANY airplane is a mistake.

[Cole5Oh5]

Originally Posted by stratobee

I follow the 337 market very closely as I'm on the hunt for the right plane. I'm not in a terrible hurry, but will hopefully buy before the end of the year. Anyway, it amazes me how huge the differences are. Clearly many sellers are stuck in early 90's pricing and think that old aircrafts just appreciate, no matter how bad the times are.

This is an example of that:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-...#ht_500wt_1182

$60K for a 11.500hr plane with a clapped out rear engine? I don't think so. Even at half of that it would be a struggle.

Good thing is I see a lot 337's coming on to the market, so there's plenty of movement. This will probably increase as time goes on. Rightly priced, they're a lot of airplane for the money. Which is why I'm interested. My funds are limited as a first time buyer, so time is all I have on my side.

Well, as others have pointed out, with limited funds, you might be better off buying a vintage corvette. Of course, some of those cost more than most Skymasters, and therefore are out of your price range.

When you dis someone for offering a plane for a price that you think is high, it does them a dis service. The guy may be looking at unpaid hangar fees, inheritance fees, and a mortgage. If the airplane REALLY interests you, give him a call, and make what you think is a reasonable offer. Obviously, if he doesn't think it's reasonable, he'll hang up on you. That's the chance you take, instead of whining about it to everyone who has already ponied up their money. So, pick up the phone and see if he is interested. What's the phone call going to cost you??? Can you afford that?? Maybe send an email, it's cheaper. However, for real negotiations, I have found that face to face is always best. A phone call is a good place to start.

Here, try this one on your budget. http://www.controller.com/listingsde...ER/1161645.htm

[stratobee]

Listen Cole.

There wouldn't be a forum like this or a second hand market for these aircraft if it weren't for people much like myself, so why the patronizing tone? We were all first time buyers at some point. It almost feels like some people here would much prefer to keep people out of their "club" rather than being welcoming. Cessna 337 owners need all the new members they can get.

Much thanks to this forum, I'm well aware of the costs of ownership. I can afford it. However, what I can't afford is to overpay in todays market just because some poor sod has hangar fees to pay or a mortgage. Well, I also have a mortgage and bills to pay.

[Skymaster337B]

Stop dreaming, and start flying. The only thing that makes airplanes fly is MONEY. So, either way an airplane will cost you money...so buy in cheap so you'll have money left to pump into it.