Cherokee 235 vs Trinidad vs Comanche

Consolidating my replies to several folks who responded on this
sub-thread--Dave's reply pretty much covered them all, so it's convenient to
do so.

"dave" wrote in message
news
Doug,
Don't throw out the bonanza for the wrong reasons.
1 - you can have a dual yoke or throw over yoke. No big deal. The throw
over yoke very clever and extremely well made as is everything else in a
Bonanza. If you don't want to throw it over you don't have to. It's
like flying with any other other yoke but you'll be surprised at how
smooth and robust the controls are.

I know every description I've read of Bonanzas have the theme of "well
built" and "solid"--no argument there. I'm also aware of the adapters
(right term?) that convert it to a dual-yoke system--but, that still leaves
a huge bar (two, now) out in front of the panel. Big deal? Probably not,
but it is a detractor (to me).


2 - I've heard this before about reversed controls. In my Bonanza there's
really nothing that's odd or out of place so I'm not sure what it means.
The flaps, gear, throttle, mixture and prop controls are all clearly
identified. My citabria had the throttle on the left and the stick in my
right hand. Now it's yoke in the left hand and throttle in the right hand
as it is in most side by side airplanes.

Here again I'm going on what I've read. "Clearly identified" isn't the
point--my understanding is that both the engine controls and the flap/gear
handles are reversed from a standard setup.


3 - Expensive to buy? I can't imagine getting a decent tb20 for less than
150-200k. For that money you'll get a fantastic Bonanza. Costly to
maintain. I'm really not there yet. So far I've bought two rubber flap
bumpers for $2.70 each and had a attitude indicator rebuilt for $400.00.
You point is a good one but remember, no matter what parts cost - labor is
labor. Also keep in mind that much of the maintenance will be stuff that
is common not Beech specific-engine, radio, instruments, tires, brakes,
fluids, paint, upholstery, wire, lights, etc.

Not true. Later models, sure, but late-80s TB-20s are in the $120Ks--I even
saw a '92 model (w/ a GNS 530!) for $119.9K (it had already sold--I suspect
it had that Lycoming cam subject to the SB in it as a driver of the price).
Compared to similar vintage Bos, that's a lot less money, no? Understood on
the mx issues.


Like most things, you should try one for yourself and see what you think.
It sounds like you've been given advice from folks that don't own or don't
like Bonanzas. I never thought I'd own one but I'm glad I let my friends
talk me into at least flying one before I bought something else.


True again. Of course, if I could fly everything that's out there, I'd
never get around to buying.... I've never seen a Bo for rent--could be
I haven't looked hard enough (which is true), but they're hardly an FBO
staple....

Regardless of the airplane you buy, one thing that was a real bonus for me
was to hire a Bonanza expert. He helped me search for planes and spoke to
the sellers and their mechanics on my behalf. I guess mechanics speak a
special language. He's an AP/IA so he was able to get better information
from other mechanics than I could have. Finally when we had what we
thought was a winner. He did the pre-buy inspection for me.

Now THAT is probably the most key piece of advice yet! How did you go about
finding the "expert"? What were his qualifications (AP/IA--but, did you
look for someone w/ XXX experience working on Bos, or what)? I'm obviously
going to want to have a pre-buy done--I imagine that you paid more than you
would have for "just" a pre-buy, but less than you would have for a pre-buy
plus another person acting as your search agent.... Intriguing idea, I
think I want to use it!

I enjoyed the search for my planes I hope you do too. Best of luck.
Dave
M35


Enjoying it, yes--but, also frustrated. Every time I feel like I've learned
enough to make a decision, another data point comes in that skews the
result! I certainly appreciate everyone's help and the overall discussion,
though....

Thanks!

Doug
--
Doug
"Where am I to go/Now that I've gone too far?" -- Golden Earring, "Twilight
Zone"
(my email is spam-proofed; read the address and make the appropriate change
to contact me)