C-172 versus Sundowner

So I've been looking to buy a C-172 and came across this Sundowner.

I've heard all the "Slowdowner" stories and did a side-by-side
from the published specs:

Cruise speed and roc: Sundowner slightly better

Payload: Sundowner slightly better

Runway required: C-172 slightly better.

Fuel burn: C-172 better

Interior room: Sundowner better

Quirks: C-172 none, Sundowner appears to require a bit of dual to
learn how to land without porpoising.

Interior room: Sundowner better

Maintenance: C-172 a bit cheaper (according to my local wrench)

Price: Sundowner $20k - $30k cheaper than comperable TTAF/SMOH/equipped
C-172s, this buys a lot of fuel and maintenance.

I have no intention of ever going to anything other than a paved strip.

Comments?

--
Jim Pennino

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The only downside is it will be harder to sell.



wrote:
So I've been looking to buy a C-172 and came across this Sundowner.

I've heard all the "Slowdowner" stories and did a side-by-side
from the published specs:

Cruise speed and roc: Sundowner slightly better

Payload: Sundowner slightly better

Runway required: C-172 slightly better.

Fuel burn: C-172 better

Interior room: Sundowner better

Quirks: C-172 none, Sundowner appears to require a bit of dual to
learn how to land without porpoising.

Interior room: Sundowner better

Maintenance: C-172 a bit cheaper (according to my local wrench)

Price: Sundowner $20k - $30k cheaper than comperable TTAF/SMOH/equipped
C-172s, this buys a lot of fuel and maintenance.

I have no intention of ever going to anything other than a paved strip.

Comments?

On Sat, 08 Jul 2006 19:05:02 GMT, wrote:
Sundowner a good plane....

Insurance for me $850 a year.
Annual averages $1200 a year
Fuel burn is 10 GPH

Cruise speed and roc: Sundowner slightly better

In the real world, plan on 110 knots. 105 knots if you go higher then
7000 feet.

Fuel burn: C-172 better

I get 10 gph at 110 IAS.

Interior room: Sundowner better

MUCH better, wider cabin for good creature comfort.

Quirks: C-172 none, Sundowner appears to require a bit of dual to
learn how to land without porpoising.

One hour dual for me. Big thing is airspeed. Keep it to the numbers and
you will just about grease every landing. Trailing link gear does wonders
for obsorbing those hard landings.

Maintenance: C-172 a bit cheaper (according to my local wrench)

See above for annual. Can't really compare to a Cessna, but I heard and
felt myself Beech parts are pricey.

Price: Sundowner $20k - $30k cheaper than comperable TTAF/SMOH/equipped
C-172s, this buys a lot of fuel and maintenance.

Bought mine for 38K with high time engine. Got the engine overhauled after
a cylinder ate an exhaust valve and another cylinder started acting up.

I have no intention of ever going to anything other than a paved strip.

Overall great bird for me. Plenty of back seat passenger room, plenty of
cargo room.

Hope this helps.

Allen

Newps wrote:
The only downside is it will be harder to sell.

Whatever I buy is going to carry me through retirement (which implies
it should be relatively cheap to keep) and won't be sold unless one
of the following happens:

A. I die, then I don't much care.

B. I lose my medical, in which case I'll be so drunk I won't care.

C. I win the lotto, in which case I go to my favorite CFI and ask him
which promising student I should sell it to for $10 and a cheeseburger.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

I'm sure you've flown a C172, how about a Sundowner? If not, your
next step is to find one and get a 30 min flight (at least) just to
see how you like it. You'll be spending many hours in the machine and
your decision must include aesthetic values as well as performance and
financial.

My guess? You'll prefer the Sundowner. Find one and let us know.

Bob Fry wrote:
I'm sure you've flown a C172, how about a Sundowner? If not, your
next step is to find one and get a 30 min flight (at least) just to
see how you like it. You'll be spending many hours in the machine and
your decision must include aesthetic values as well as performance and
financial.

My guess? You'll prefer the Sundowner. Find one and let us know.

Probably 99% of my time is in the C172.

I crossed the Warrior off my list because in just an hour my elbow
seemed to be always banging into the door and it became annoying as
hell, so I get your drift. Maybe I'm built weird.

I have a particular Sundowner in mind.

Unless someone posts something that causes me to reconcider, or
something too good to pass up comes up before then (fat chance),
next Friday I'm going to see about a test flight.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

I never thought I'd sell my 182 either. Now here I am with a Bonanza
lovin' life.




wrote:

Newps wrote:

The only downside is it will be harder to sell.


Whatever I buy is going to carry me through retirement (which implies
it should be relatively cheap to keep) and won't be sold unless one
of the following happens:

A. I die, then I don't much care.

B. I lose my medical, in which case I'll be so drunk I won't care.

C. I win the lotto, in which case I go to my favorite CFI and ask him
which promising student I should sell it to for $10 and a cheeseburger.

Newps wrote:
I never thought I'd sell my 182 either. Now here I am with a Bonanza
lovin' life.

wrote:

Newps wrote:

The only downside is it will be harder to sell.


Whatever I buy is going to carry me through retirement (which implies
it should be relatively cheap to keep) and won't be sold unless one
of the following happens:

A. I die, then I don't much care.

B. I lose my medical, in which case I'll be so drunk I won't care.

C. I win the lotto, in which case I go to my favorite CFI and ask him
which promising student I should sell it to for $10 and a cheeseburger.

Assuming I don't win the lotto, if I buy anything else it will be
a "fun" airplane like an Ercoupe as something to fool around in when
the wife isn't around.

--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

wrote)
Assuming I don't win the lotto, if I buy anything else it will be a "fun"
airplane like an Ercoupe as something to fool around in when the wife
isn't around.


I talked with a guy on Friday selling his "beautiful" Ercoupe D (1,400 lb).
85 hp.

It has the SB #32 FIX!

He rebuilt the the main spar section / center section. Took care of that!
It's already been signed off and approved, paperwork stamped by the FAA,
etc. He doesn't think he'll have to do this every 6 years, like the rest of
the fleet - though he's waiting for that to be written in stone. So far just
a lot of positive feedback to his work - but no definitve guarantee ...yet.

http://www.univairparts.com/svc.php
The following items are Service Letters, Bulletins, Memoranda and AD's that
concern the "Classic" vintage aircraft that Univair supports. The following
are only RECENTLY issued service related items.

http://www.univairparts.com/bulletin...erviceb_32.pdf
The dreaded Ercoupe SB #32.

His Ercoupe is not on the market, yet. But it is for sale. He lives on piece
of land with a small private strip next to his house.


Montblack

I have no intention of ever going to anything other than a paved strip.

Overall great bird for me. Plenty of back seat passenger room, plenty of
cargo room.

Hope this helps.

Allen

What is the useful load, range with 4 folks on board, etc?