I've had a Sundowner for 5 years. There is a very good internet group,
Beech Aero Club, which is a wealth of resources, including highly skilled
and dedicated A&Ps.

I love my Sundowner. I've thought that if I ever traded her, it would be
for a Sierra. There's the extra cost of the constant speed prop, swinging
the gear and another hydraulic system, but that's the case with almost all
retracts.

I've been very lucky with parts. There were enough made that used parts are
available. New vendors are very slowly coming on line for things like the
landing gear donuts. Engines are engines.

Two annuals ago, my parts cost (exclusive of oil and filter) was about 3
dollars for a piece of tubing. I've replaced tires and tubes, plugs and
things like that.

This was my first airplane, and when I bought her, I knew almost nothing
about airplanes - I mean nothing. I looked at a couple Cherokees, and was
going to buy one until the A&P who did the pre-buy gave me a list of
discrepancies thicker than my checkbook. I found the Sundowner on the
internet, and close by. I had never seen a Sundowner before, and had hardly
heard of Beech. Beech built an excellent machine. When I take of access
panels (like the spar carrythrough), the workmanship makes me tingle.

I never thought that $10,000 annuals were possible, and I had no idea of
what a field overhaul cost, much less a reman. I have been very, very, very
lucky.



"RH" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm a PVT, IFR pilot, but fairly low time at 350 hours, mostly in
various fixed gear PA28's.

I'm interested in buying an entry level retractable. I'd like to use
it to get my commercial certificate, and maybe go on to my CFI/CFII.
But the primary mission would be to haul my wife, 1 year old son and
our two small dogs on 200-400 NM x-c's up and down the east coast to
visit family.

I've noticed that the older Comanche 180's and Beech Sierra seem to be
a good buy. There are several on TAP and ASO right now with mid time
engines, modern updated panels and GPS in the $45-$55K range. A
comparable Arrow, C172RG, 177RG or Commander 112 would be at least $65K
and up. Frankly it looks like the owners of these Comanche's &
Sierra's have much more invested in their aircraft than they are worth.

Any owners/operators care to share your experiences with these two
aircraft?
Are Beech parts really *that* much more expensive than Piper parts?
Is it a nightmare trying to maintain an older retractable? I would
hope not to have to sell either one anytime soon. So fast forward 10
years to 2016 --- what you you rather be maintaining, a 37 year old
Beech Sierra or a 57 year old Piper Comanche?

Thanks for sharing!

Rich