Cessna 172 vs. Mooney vs. ?

A bit off topic. I'm also a newbie and I'm thinking about buying a plane as
well. My dilemma is that I just can't bring myself to buying an older plane
'cuz I just get jittery about safety issues. I'd rather get a fractional
share in a newer machine than full-time privileges (which I might not use)
in an older plane.

I, too, am training in Cessna 172s - and newer ones at that - but I recently
had a demo ride in an older Piper Warrior and let me tell you that the Piper
was oh so tasty smooth, responsive and panoramic (damn the single starboard
door). For me, piloting a Cessna seems like I'm driving a Chevy Vega -- if
you're old enough to appreciate the comparison.

Bottom line is that I'd rather purchase a share in a newer Piper, Tiger or
(gulp$) Mooney than slug along in an older Cessna. My 2 cents.



"pjbphd" wrote in message
news:CATWc.132424$sh.9312@fed1read06...
I'm in the process of taking lessons for my Private Pilot Certificate.
I'll
be eventually using my certificate to commute from Tucson to Flagstaff and
will purchase a plane. My training is in a Cessna 172.



Although I'm a way off, I'm beginning to consider planes for my commute.
I'
ll be flying from around 3500 ft up to 7000 ft. I was given a good
suggestion that I fly into Sedona which is about 1500 ft. Lower than
Flagstaff. I may also do some recreational trips to the Reno-Tahoe area.
The bottom line is I need a plane that can handle mountains.



My budget is $40K - $50K. Looking at www.aso.com I see that puts me in
the
late 70s to early 80s Cessna 172. Alternatively I could go with a 1960
era
Mooney M20. I'm sure there are options with Cherokees as well. I'd like
to
stay away from kits and experimentals, at least until I get more
experience.



Soooo. what's the deal? Go with a later model 172 or the earlier Mooney?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? What other airplanes I
should consider?



Thanks in advance



pjbphd




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"H.P." wrote in message
om...
A bit off topic. I'm also a newbie and I'm thinking about buying a plane
as
well. My dilemma is that I just can't bring myself to buying an older
plane
'cuz I just get jittery about safety issues.

(r.a.student removed...I don't see how it's relevant at all)

You have two issues to think about: age, and aircraft type.

IMHO, age is pretty much a non-issue with respect to safety. If you want
the latest and greatest avionics, or you want that new-plane smell, or a
warranty, or any of the other things available only in a new plane, then get
a new plane. But if the only thing that concerns you is safety, there's
nothing wrong with an old plane that's been properly inspected and
maintained, and a new plane won't have had all of the kinks worked out of it
by the time you take delivery.

Bottom line is that I'd rather purchase a share in a newer Piper, Tiger or
(gulp$) Mooney than slug along in an older Cessna. My 2 cents.

Just depends on what you want to do with the plane. Personally, having the
wing block my view of the ground drives me up the wall. Other folks, they
hate having the wing drop into their view when they turn. Thankfully, the
airplane I actually own has a mid-mounted wing, well aft of the front seats
(and even a bit aft of the rear seats), and I get an excellent view all
around.

I think it's interesting that you put the Tiger in the same category with
the Pipers and Mooneys. I haven't flown a Tiger (or Cheetah), but from what
other pilots tell me, they are a lot sportier than the typical GA airplane,
low or high wing.

Anyway, your decision between low-wing, high-wing, sporty or trucky doesn't
really have anything to do with your decision of new or used (other than a
requirement of "new" limiting what's available).

Pete

H.P.,

My dilemma is that I just can't bring myself to buying an older plane
'cuz I just get jittery about safety issues.


While I can fully understand and share your desire for a new aircraft,
I am pretty sure the statistics don't give any support to your worries.
Older planes are not less safe than new ones - but they are, well, OLD.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

I, too, am training in Cessna 172s - and newer ones at that - but I
recently
had a demo ride in an older Piper Warrior and let me tell you that the
Piper
was oh so tasty smooth, responsive and panoramic (damn the single
starboard
door). For me, piloting a Cessna seems like I'm driving a Chevy Vega --
if
you're old enough to appreciate the comparison.

I agree with your assessment (my best friend had a Vega!), but I'll throw
this out for you to chew on:

In the price range mentioned ($40 - $50K) you can get a mid-70s Warrior or
Skyhawk.

Also in that price range, you can get a late '60s Cherokee 180. You might
be able to stretch into a Challenger (the 180 hp predecessor to the Archer),
but it'll be rough and high time.

I bought a '75 Warrior as my first plane, and loved it. However, it was no
speed demon, and it was huffing and puffing at high density altitudes. 150
hp will only take you so far, so fast.

Were I to do it over again, I'd have started with a 180 hp Cherokee,
preferably a post-'72 model. They stretched 'em 5 inches in '72, giving the
Cherokee an actual, usable back seat. I know the original poster said he'd
be solo most of the time, but every now and then it's nice to be able to
actually carry four real people in your 4-seat plane.

Had I done this, I probably would not have needed to sell our plane when my
kids got too big for the Warrior to lift.

Although we truly love our '74 Pathfinder (Cherokee 235 -- there's no
substitute for horsepower!), it cost more than twice as much as our Warrior
did. 33% more performance (in both speed and lifting capacity) cost us 100%
more money.

IMHO, if you can stretch your budget to the 180, you'll be way ahead in the
long run. It's a great half-step up from the 150 horse birds, without
breaking the bank, and you may never want to sell it.

Good luck!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

H.P. wrote:

I, too, am training in Cessna 172s - and newer ones at that - but I recently
had a demo ride in an older Piper Warrior and let me tell you that the Piper
was oh so tasty smooth, responsive and panoramic (damn the single starboard
door).


There's always the Beech Sundowner if you want a 2 door low wing.