So I need some input here. I know there are many details missing, and that paint scheme is killing me, but look beyond that and give me a good honest evaluation from what you see.
I am not nearly smart enough to know what to look for, but this plane fits my mission quite well, and is under budget.
http://www.aviatorshotline.com/aircraft/piston-single/piper-comanche-250-3
Comanches are a great airplane. I am however somewhat biased, though it comes from some experience in various single engine retracts.
This airplane has a couple of positives. The tip tanks are $10K to add, so they add some value as it turns the aircraft into a great long distance traveling machine. It also has an autopilot that would cost at least $15K to add. Most of the older Comanches don't have an autopilot or just have a wing leveler. It also has a pretty good paint job which can run a chunk of change. If it is in decent mechanical condition, it could be a good buy.
The down side is the run out engine, old panel configuration, and lack of a WAAS GPS.
Personally, I like run out engines if the price is right. That way may get a little free time out of them, and then can have them overhauled to my satisfaction, not by Virgil and Slim down at the truck stop.
DO NOT buy the airplane without have a Comanche savvy mechanic take a hard look at it. The landing gear are often in need of some help. You can make a $10K mistake very easily by getting it home and finding out that you need to recondition the landing gear. There is a 1000 hour inspection required on the landing gear. (AD 77-13-21, para A). I have done three Comanche logbook reviews in the last two weeks, and not one of those aircraft had any clear indication that the 1000 hour inspection had been accomplished.
Comanche owners have a tendency to hang on to their planes for a long long time. It is testament to their intrinsic usefulness. However, it also means that as the owner ages, the aircraft ends up sitting for a long time before being sold. They can be expensive to bring back to reliable condition when let go too long.
The International Comanche Society is the type club for the Comanche series and there is an active and dedicated group on the Airworthy Comanche forum on Delphi.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/comanches/start The former has a membership charge and the later does not.
