Least Expensive Plane To Buy and Own

I am looking for some input on the least expensive airplanes to own. I've
heard so many horror stories about the $5000 or even $15,000 annual, or the
seat adjuster that costs $600, that I thought I would get some input on this
before buying. So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

Michael

Michael,

So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

You need to be aware that having such a strong focus on the lowest
price may have inherent safety issues. You get what you pay for.

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior 140.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior 140.

Or better yet, a rental. You could buy & feed a cow, but for most of us it
makes far more sense to buy milk.

Vaughn

Vaughn Simon wrote:
"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior
140.

Or better yet, a rental. You could buy & feed a cow, but for most
of us it makes far more sense to buy milk.

Vaughn

While I agree with the rental if saving money is the key I also understand
that renting isn't always an option. So you might look at one of the new
S-LSA where you can do your own maintenance and become qualified to do your
own annual.

Another option that will reduce not only the cost of maintenance but also
the initial cost of ownership is going the homebuilt route.

In a previous article, "Vaughn Simon" said:
"Thomas Borchert" wrote in message
...

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior 140.

Or better yet, a rental. You could buy & feed a cow, but for most of us it
makes far more sense to buy milk.

A flying club combines many of the benefits of ownership with the low cost
of rental.

For instance, in my flying club http://www.rochesterflyingclub.com/, the
monthly dues are less than what AOPA says a good renters insurance policy
will cost you. But you get clean, well maintained planes flown by people
who treat the planes like they have to pay the maintenance costs.

--
Paul Tomblin http://blog.xcski.com/
Fortunately, he was promoted far enough up the management ladder that he
no longer has any real responsibility and is kept far away from sharp or
dangerous objects - such as cc, gcc, vi and emacs. -- Curt Fennell

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior 140.

A small nit: A Cherokee 140 is a radically different (and far
cheaper) bird than the Piper Warrior.

There is no "Warrior 140".
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

A small nit: A Cherokee 140 is a radically different (and far
cheaper) bird than the Piper Warrior.


You're correct. Sorry.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

On Aug 24, 4:08 am, Thomas Borchert
wrote:
Michael,

So I'm looking for low purchase price (used), low repair and
parts costs, and low $ per hour to run.

You need to be aware that having such a strong focus on the lowest
price may have inherent safety issues. You get what you pay for.

Having said that, have a look at the Ercoupe or the Piper Warrior 140.

IMHO the venerable Cessna 150 is your best combo choice for cheapest
in all three categories: to purchase, maintain, and operate as a
general purpose everyday flyer. The Piper Cherokee (not Warrior,
that's a different plane - pedantic nit here) 140 is the next cheapest
overall, and gives you the benefit of 4 seats and considerable extra
speed, but also considerable extra fuel burn. The Ercoupe has become
too much of the antique, occasional-only special purpose flyer that
you spend all your time and money fixing up into a hangar queen
instead of using as a workhorse everyday flyer out of fear you'll
break something expensive or difficult to repair on it.

The Cherokee 140 has not been holding its resale value too well
lately, as the used plane market is full of good buys in a 140 so that
may be something to seriously consider if purchasing a plane dirt
cheap today right now bears more weight than future resale value in
your decision, but the Cessna 150's have been holding their resale
value rock solid even throughout the used plane market slump over the
past year or so...


cheers,
rutger

, but the Cessna 150's have been holding their resale
value rock solid even throughout the used plane market slump over the
past year or so...


Doesn't that contradict the "cheap to buy" requirement?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

On Aug 26, 3:56 am, Thomas Borchert
wrote:
, but the Cessna 150's have been holding their resale
value rock solid even throughout the used plane market slump over the
past year or so...

Doesn't that contradict the "cheap to buy" requirement?

No, not necessarily, because while the 150s have been holding their
value, the price range for good specimens has been holding steady in
the upper teens to low twenties, with the finer specimens in the mod
twenties which in my book still falls in the "cheap to buy" category.

The better quality Cherokee 140s used to be mid-upper thirties, even
into the low forties for finer specimens and now those same calibre
aircraft are being sold in the upper twenties to mid thirties just to
get them moving on market.

I think the Cherokee is definitely the plane-per-dollar value leader
right now, but if you do not really need the four seats, faster cruise
and extra fuel burn, the Cessna 150 will get you into the air, and
keep you there for the overall long term, for less overall money spent
across.... for say 5 years or thereabouts of ownership or even longer
terms.