Tell me why I should not buy a Malibu.

Zeldman

Zeldman

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Billy
Life is changing for me. Soon I may need a personal plane for about half business and half personal.

My mission will be at least one approximately 1350 trip a month and two approximately 500 mile trips a month. Plus whatever personal trips the wife and I will want to do.

I wanting pressurization, air conditioner, known ice, club seating and air stair entrance.

I have always liked the Matrix Malibu. The plane seems to be a fair mix of my wants and needs.

Any thoughts, pros and/or cons anyone might have will be appreciated.
 
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That's great news that you're going to be back in the air @Zeldman :thumbsup:

But as others have posted the Matrix was the unpressurized version of the PA-46 line.
 
As stated above, Matrix is the unpressurized version of the Mirage. Otherwise identical even in performance except for oxygen plumbing. (The Mirage has Oxygen generators)

PM me if you want to talk PA-46, I fly the piston Malibu/Mirage and also the M500 (Meridian) and M600 as well.
 
Feel free to PM me with questions. I fly and maintain an M350 (mirage).

overall, I think they’re great, versatile, and efficient airplanes but it depends on what you’re trying to do with it and where you’re taking it.
 
Arbiter419 said:
As stated above, Matrix is the unpressurized version of the Mirage. Otherwise identical even in performance except for oxygen plumbing. (The Mirage has Oxygen generators)

PM me if you want to talk PA-46, I fly the piston Malibu/Mirage and also the M500 (Meridian) and M600 as well.
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The Matrix merely has a rather small oxygen bottle for flying high. Except for the low useful load, I've always liked these planes, but I'd want the pressurized version.
 
Join MMOPA before you think too long about it. Absolutely stellar type club.

I fly Matrix serial number 1. Solid plane. Very versatile. 1350 lbs UL.

If you have Matrix money..buy a Mirage/Malibu. On 1300 mile trips, you will be glad you did
 
GRG55 said:
...But as others have posted the Matrix was the unpressurized version of the PA-46 line.
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Ooops... as others here more knowledgeable than me have noted, the Matrix is the unpressurized version. Things like this happens when my wife is nagging wanting me to fix the water leak in the well house...

Actually I am wanting to learn about the Piper M350. And a used one. If I could afford a new one I would hire someone to fly me around....

Even the right Mirage would work for me.

Thanks to all for correcting me..!! :yesnod::yesnod:
 
How many passengers are you looking at when flying for business, specifically the 1350 mile trips?
 
Zeldman said:
Probably 3 passengers and myself with one bag each.
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Given that, you're probably looking at a stop both west and eastbound. But you're probably looking at a step at least westbound in pretty much any plane like that. Even the MU-2, which has really good legs, 1350 is doable but pushing it in a no-wind condition. Not a lot of GA planes that can do that non-stop, especially westbound.

If you're looking for fuel economy then you've probably got a good option there. I'm not sure what you're looking to spend on purchase, but certainly if you're looking at a Mirage (and especially if you're looking at new enough to be within the Matrix model years) you'll have a significant investment in aircraft. Some people prefer the Continental-powered PA-46s, although you might not be surprised to know I like the Lycomings better. ;)

Reasons not to buy it? I seem to recall a statistic saying that 10% of the PA-46 piston fleet has had an engine failure, the highest of any piston aircraft.
 
I have some time in an older Continental Pressurized Malibu. I prefer the continental as it seems to be more fuel efficient and there hasn’t been any increase in reliabilty with the Lycoming. I will say it’s the sweetest flying plane I’ve flown. Doesn’t feel as big as it is behind the controls. Rides turbulence good and a snap to land. You are asking a lot of a 6 cylinder piston though so expect higher maintenance. I don’t know anybody who has made TBO without at least one set of cylinders. A good friend of mine keeps overhauled ones in his hangar to swap out at annual when it needs it.
 
The cabin is tight and the 2 that are based here (one is a 2013 from Canada, but he’s basically based here) are in the shop all the freaking time. The other is a 2010, and it has more issues than the 2013.
 
I will also point out that the number of engine failures isn’t necessarily a fault in the design. I tend to think of these as being the next level Bonanza where accidents are more the fault of the operator than the airplane. A guy two hangars down from me with a Mirage Granaded his engine because he ran it out of oil. It locked up so hard it broke the 4 blade composite propeller. He starts it up with what must be 2k rpm. Does not give it proper warm up and never lets it cool down before shutting it down.
 
I was flying a Matrix and Mirage professionally for a couple years.

As a pilot getting paid, I enjoyed flying both, although I found the unpressurized Matrix more useful.

The lack of pressurization gives the Matrix a much higher useful load. You won’t get up in the flight levels, but I rarely flew the Mirage above 13-14k anyway. The reason was it’s a pig in the climb. Fully loaded I’d average 400 fpm. 500 fpm Max in the climb. CHTs on both were typically pushing 380-400F in climb. You burn so much fuel to get up to the flight levels that you only get to cruise up there for 30-45 minutes before you are coming down for gas. So I found the Matrix much more useful unless solo or just one pax.

Also, cockpit is TIGHT. If you are bigger than 6’ or a heavy guy, getting in/out is a real challenge.

And be careful about loading. Very easy to put it on its tail when stepping onto the air stair.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Given that, you're probably looking at a stop both west and eastbound. But you're probably looking at a step at least westbound in pretty much any plane like that. Even the MU-2, which has really good legs, 1350 is doable but pushing it in a no-wind condition. Not a lot of GA planes that can do that non-stop, especially westbound.

If you're looking for fuel economy then you've probably got a good option there. I'm not sure what you're looking to spend on purchase, but certainly if you're looking at a Mirage (and especially if you're looking at new enough to be within the Matrix model years) you'll have a significant investment in aircraft. Some people prefer the Continental-powered PA-46s, although you might not be surprised to know I like the Lycomings better. ;)

Reasons not to buy it? I seem to recall a statistic saying that 10% of the PA-46 piston fleet has had an engine failure, the highest of any piston aircraft.
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Oh yeah, at least one stop. Don't forget I am an old guy and I will need to stop long before the plane needs to stop... :lol::lol:

The early PA-46 with the Continental engines did have some engine failures. Partly engine design and partly pilot problems from what I have read.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Also, cockpit is TIGHT. If you are bigger than 6’ or a heavy guy, getting in/out is a real challenge.
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I never thought of that. I am not 6 feet but I am getting lighter... I thought the inside would be Ok since the other plane option is a P210. I will definitely have to try one on for size soon to check the fit.
 
Zeldman said:
Oh yeah, at least one stop. Don't forget I am an old guy and I will need to stop long before the plane needs to stop... :lol::lol:
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Not just you. While I can dehydrate and be fine for long legs if needed, most of the time I just tell the co-pilot to go in the back of the plane while I refill a Gatorade bottle. Not worth being hard on my body with the kind of flights I do.

Then for family trips with the kids we have a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat on it. Works great.

It was easier with the 414 since it had a relief tube. I wish the MU2 had that.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
Not just you. While I can dehydrate and be fine for long legs if needed, most of the time I just tell the co-pilot to go in the back of the plane while I refill a Gatorade bottle. Not worth being hard on my body with the kind of flights I do.
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Tactical dehydration is never something I considered flying the PA46.....because I could never fly greater than 2-2.5 hour legs without needing a fuel stop.

PA46s do have a relief tube.....but you won’t ever need it.
 
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I'm just glad you're getting back into the air Zeldman. What you fly doesn't matter to me, get what you want and can afford.
 
I can't think of any reason to discourage you from buying a Malibu or Matrix or Mirage!
 
Because you’d look so much better in a Meridian.
 
I can't help with the plane selection since you haven't mentioned Bonanzas, but I'd still like to hear more about this big life change that is prompting this discussion.
 
Zeldman said:
I never thought of that. I am not 6 feet but I am getting lighter... I thought the inside would be Ok since the other plane option is a P210. I will definitely have to try one on for size soon to check the fit.
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The front seat bottoms in the PA-46 are ahead of the main spar carrythrough, so that limits how far back the seat can go and thus the legroom to the rudder pedals for taller people. I'm 6'4" about 235 lbs and it's tight to get in and out, and tight when I am in the seat. If you are at 6' you'll probably be fine in the seat, although getting in and out may still be less than elegant. ;)

Got a friend who is 6'1" who is heavier than me, owns a PA-46 350 and seems to make it work. He did have 1/2 the bottom cushion padding removed to improve the headroom.

The plane is perfect for someone who is about 5'10" :cool:
 
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JOhnH said:
I can't help with the plane selection since you haven't mentioned Bonanzas, but I'd still like to hear more about this big life change that is prompting this discussion.
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That is the question everyone is asking.

What is zeldman up to, will he:

a. Become the biggest crack dealer in New Mexico.

b. Become the newest and most pictured porn star on the small screen.

c. Start a mail order bride company with his wife.

d. Sell used cars to left handed Lithuanian lesbians.

e. Start a quiet life as a recluse and build the largest wooden airplane ever to fly and call it the ''Plywood Pelican''.
 
Zeldman said:
That is the question everyone is asking.

What is zeldman up to, will he:

a. Become the biggest crack dealer in New Mexico.

b. Become the newest and most pictured porn star on the small screen.

c. Start a mail order bride company with his wife.

d. Sell used cars to left handed Lithuanian lesbians.

e. Start a quiet life as a recluse and build the largest wooden airplane ever to fly and call it the ''Plywood Pelican''.
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f. All of the above
 
All I know is Zeldman is a professional pilot and in the market for a Malibu.

I must be doing it wrong!
 
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