"Montblack" writes:

("Bob Fry" wrote)
I went through this exact scenario more than once when I was looking
for an Ercoupe. Using the FAA database, I wrote owners in
N. Calif. if they wanted to sell--thus I was often the first person to
talk to these guys about selling. Most wanted too much for runout
engines, hangar queens, etc. Finally found one in good shape at a
reasonable price--I paid his asking price w/o negotiation, since by
now I knew it was reasonable.


Did it work out OK for you - money pit wise?

--
Montblack
"Styled by the laws of nature.............Concorde"

Yes. This is a 1965 Aircoupe. Very few of these are "perfect"--most
owners simply won't pour huge amounts of money into improving what is
basically a $20K to $25K airplane, max. Occasionally you'll see
someone who does, though, and tries to get some of it back ("$70,000
worth of improvements, asking $40,000"). I doubt they get many takers.

So, my first annual was $2000, including an AD which involved removing
the wing and inspecting for corrosion. All I did was remove and
replace panels; I don't have more skills than that, so while many guys
could clean their own plugs, pack wheel bearings, etc. I didn't do any
of that. Maybe I'll start learning. A number of smallish-to-moderate
things were improved, things that weren't critical but were good to
do. For instance, when the wings were off some of the bellcranks were
replaced; replaced the old electro-mechanical-style voltage regulator
with a Zeftronics; and so forth. Basically a number of things that a
different, somewhat anal mechanic would catch, but nothing really
critical to flight safety.