Price of airplanes up?

bflynn

bflynn

Final Approach
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Brian Flynn
Is it just me or is the price of airplanes way up in the past year or two?

In 2001 I wanted to buy a '85 911 coupe, they were going for about 25-30k. Today they're pushing 70. In 2008 I had loan approval to buy a nice Warrior to train in at about 25k, today they're pushing 45. About 3 years ago I wanted to move to Dallas when the real estate market was way down, it's gone up something like 60% since.

Each time the spousal unit stepped in and said no way. Well, without support it's not happening. Would hate to think I'm missing the market a 4th time but I'm afraid I have.
 
It varies depending on particular airplane. I have noticed a general increase in asking prices for Barons, but no idea if they are actually getting close to what they are asking. I'll be finding out soon as my Baron hits the market.
 
When I got the 185 a year or so ago, they seemed to be moving quickly and getting asking, or dang near asking prices.

With the way the economy is going and inflation, getting a desirable plane isn't a half bad idea, they ain't makin any more 185s, DHC2s, etc but the fed sure is printing more and more money :goofy:
 
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Mid 80's 911's have made a ridiculous jump for sure...
 
Mooney prices appear to be around the same as they were when I was looking one a couple years ago. But like Fearless Tower said, there's a difference between the asking price and what it actually sells for. A lot of people get the attitude of "but MINE really is worth this much!".

Fearless Tower said:
It varies depending on particular airplane. I have noticed a general increase in asking prices for Barons, but no idea if they are actually getting close to what they are asking. I'll be finding out soon as my Baron hits the market.
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What are you getting in place of the Baron?
 
Fearless Tower said:
G18S. Just passed the pre-buy and we should close this week. I've officially lost my mind.
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That's awesome! Post some pictures when you get it. That's a quite the upgrade. Congrats! :cheers:
 
bflynn said:
Is it just me or is the price of airplanes way up in the past year or two?

In 2008 I had loan approval to buy a nice Warrior to train in at about 25k, today they're pushing 45.

Gee, I guess that I will have to ask more for my Warrior when I sell it. :dunno:

I still think that it is a buyers market, but I have noticed the asking prices going up. That doesn't mean they are getting it.
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Velocity173 said:
Jeez man! Isn't that 4 planes for you?
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Oh it's a sickness. No doubt about it.

But it's just temporary. I can't afford to do it long term. By about this time next year, I expect I'll be down to the Waco and the Beech 18.
 
Aircraft price seems to vary by make and model. Twins seem to be rising again from the bottom,maybe due to lower gas price.
 
Velocity173 said:
Jeez man! Isn't that 4 planes for you?
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Smart man...
Buy unique airplanes and they will gain value. It is a fun savings account that will make you money.
I own 3 now and have had 12 planes in the past 10 years. I made enough profit selling the planes I had to pay cash for my Model 12, Cub and 172.
Buy cheap, sell high :)
The funny thing is I had desirable planes that not everyone has. Most of them were never for sale. I had people asking to buy them, that is the opportunity to throw a high price out there.
Word of advice... Don't fall in love with anything except your wife and kids. Everything I own can be bought....
 
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I've noticed that good planes are high. I am always looking for nice 172's and they have definitely taken a bump of late. I have several planes also and more people asking me if I'd be willing to sell. The deals are like real estate of late. Much harder to find.
 
Morgan3820 said:
Gee, I guess that I will have to ask more for my Warrior when I sell it. :dunno:

I still think that it is a buyers market, but I have noticed the asking prices going up. That doesn't mean they are getting it.
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Well, nice was '85 Warrior II, IFR outfitted with GPS, ~3000 hours overall and 800 hours on the engine.

I see ragged out WIIs with 15,000+ hours on the airframe and/or a 3000 hour engine. But anything of value is at 45k or higher in asking price.
 
bflynn said:
Well, nice was '85 Warrior II, IFR outfitted with GPS, ~3000 hours overall and 800 hours on the engine.

I see ragged out WIIs with 15,000+ hours on the airframe and/or a 3000 hour engine. But anything of value is at 45k or higher in asking price.
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I bought an 83 Warrior II at the end of 2011, 7k TT, kln89b, 2000SMOH for 30k. I flew the snot out of it (265 hours)for one year (IFR and night quite a bit) then sold it for a bit less. The per hour cost was so low I had to do a double take on the numbers. Annual ran me 2k. Insurance was like 400 bucks a year. :goofy:Cheapest 110knot flying I've done to date. Value can be found, one just has to establish priorities. Resale was not a priority for me, and considering the per hour cost, I frankly made money compared to having bought a cherry Warrior, flown it that much and sold it after a year.
 
pigpenracing said:
Smart man...
Buy unique airplanes and they will gain value. It is a fun savings account that will make you money.
I own 3 now and have had 12 planes in the past 10 years. I made enough profit selling the planes I had to pay cash for my Model 12, Cub and 172.
Buy cheap, sell high :)
The funny thing is I had desirable planes that not everyone has. Most of them were never for sale. I had people asking to buy them, that is the opportunity to throw a high price out there.
Word of advice... Don't fall in love with anything except your wife and kids. Everything I own can be bought....
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Oh definitely, the prices of unique or classic aircraft will always go up or flat line at worst. You and Fearless Tower are on the right course with that. That is also the way that I would like to go.

However the reason that prices of more common used aircraft are climbing is that the prices for new aircraft are so damn high. If that wasn't the case, old aircraft would not sell for many times what they cost new.
 
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