Higher Cost at Annual:newer ('97-'00) 172R/SP or 1970's 172?

[XrayYankee]

Trying to judge which will be more expensive at annual. A newer 172R or S, or going very used, back to a 172M or N 1974-1979 era. Are there a lot more potential pitfalls and expenses that will continue to add up each year at annual for spending less up front to get an older 172? I assume parts are still fairly easy to find because it is a 172, and still not too expensive? Or now that we're reaching 30+ years old, maybe it's better to spend more money up front and get a newer (used--'97-'00) 172R/S. Anyone that has gone though a few annuals with older or newer ones, it'd be interesting to hear feedback.
thanks.

[Mike Spera]

XrayYankee wrote:
> Trying to judge which will be more expensive at annual. A newer 172R or
> S, or going very used, back to a 172M or N 1974-1979 era.

The "annual" will cost the same. It is an inspection, nothing more. I
believe we have hashed this point out extensively on this newsgroup. The
cost that differs significantly among airplanes, owners, and mechanics
is the cost to PREPARE for the annual. Since many owners only get things
fixed when their mechanic points them out DURING the annual inspection,
some owners confuse annual inspection costs with maintenance and upgrade
costs.

Preparing for the annual in a nearly new bird SHOULD cost less. This
will be offset by the dramatically higher acquisition cost. The older
bird receiving a steady diet of cash to keep it in good shape will
likely cost more to prepare for the annual. Again, this is offset by the
lower initial acquisition cost. I would be difficult to tell in the long
run which is the lower TCO. There are too many variables.

For example:
If you buy a plane in decent condition that was well maintained and
regularly upgraded (where old systems were replaced) AND you and your
mechanic are "fix it up cheap only when it breaks" kind of people, then
the cost of preparation will likely be very low - nearly zero. Then,
there is the opposite extreme. If you buy a plane that is run out, beat,
ill maintained, never saw a new part in 30 years AND you and your wrench
are very particular, then preparing for the annual could well exceed the
purchase price of the plane - possibly several time over.

Then, there is everything in between. Given all that, it is tough to
predict what the TCO will be in your particular case.

Good Luck,
Mike

[Doug]

I would expect a 172 to be in the neighborhood of $15 an hour for
maintenance. This does not include fee to annual. And like all planes,
you better be prepared to throw $20k at it at any random moment in
time....

[Ron Natalie]

Mike Spera wrote:
> XrayYankee wrote:
>> Trying to judge which will be more expensive at annual. A newer 172R or
>> S, or going very used, back to a 172M or N 1974-1979 era.
>
> The "annual" will cost the same. It is an inspection, nothing more. I
> believe we have hashed this point out extensively on this newsgroup. The
> cost that differs significantly among airplanes, owners, and mechanics
> is the cost to PREPARE for the annual.

Well, on an older plane, there are more logs to go and possibly more
AD's to check especially the first time a given IA works on the plane.

Of course, that being said, even the longer history pales in comparison
with the deferred and preventive maintenance and repairs that generally
get done at annual time.

[Doug]

Yes, $15 of maintenance per hour of flight. That would be doing pretty
good. Doesn't include engine or prop reserves.