Yep

And there is an age cut off for insurance and depending on how much IFR you have, as well as what medical you have. That was for a fit 65-year-old.

And there is an age cut off for insurance and depending on how much IFR you have, as well as what medical you have. That was for a fit 65-year-old.

This is not making me unhappy to have an old F model MU2. I could not afford a Meridian with those prices. The MU2 will carry more and has a bigger cabin as well. Fuel burn on long trips is just under 60gph block to block.

Tony $100k more than a Meridian to operate a Mustang seems like a lot. Is it really that much? How does it breakdown?

Yes.

My plane is used about 70% for business purposes and everything is precisely entered and tracked.

I know to the penny what I spend on it. I'm one of the few who will share the raw data with others. Many make claims, I provide data.

Mike C.

I looked at newish Meridians and thought the 1969 F Model was in significantly better condition and much stronger than the newish Piper. So I bought the Mitsubishi instead.

Tony $100k more than a Meridian to operate a Mustang seems like a lot. Is it really that much? How does it breakdown?

For 2 people great AC. More than that pass.

For 2 people great AC. More than that pass.

I just spent my Memorial Day 2024 (Monday 5/27/24) reading 51 pages and I believe my man Jason (that started this thread) is still flying his Bonanza.

I've spent the day reading this because I've also been looking at the Meridians. 75% of the time would be my wife & I, 20% of the time would be just myself and 5% would be 4 (me, wife, son & daughter-n-law on less than a 2 hr trip to beach house on the gulf coast).

Been flying 34 years (privately) and have about 2,300 hrs, about 800 single and about 1500 twin pistons, zero turboprop/turbine time.

However after seeing the recent price increase (with zero justification for the price increase) I realize I should have purchased said Meridian a couple years ago.

I, like Jason have written down several tail numbers and their asking prices over the past several years and I'm seeing several of those same exact tail number planes (obviously now with more hour than 2 years ago) that are now asking $200k to over $400k more, once again same exact tail number. Where is the justification for the increased asking price of more than 25% to 35% on the same exact airplanes, and now they have more hours than they did a couple years ago. Has the market increased so much that true greed has set in?

I have pretty much decided (like Jason has) to just keep flying my little twin and not pay these crazy (no justification) increased prices.

VREF prices do not correlate (anywhere near) the current markets advertised "asking" prices on most of these currently advertised 15+ year old Meridians that are currently on the today's market! A couple of years ago it seems most sellers priced their Meridians according to the VREF fair market value. However today it seems they are just pulling asking prices out of the air.

This bubble will have to bust eventually.

Not sure it is greed. The market is smart. A new Meridian, if you can find one, is prob over 3 mil now. The M600 is discontinued and an M700 if you could get one, is 4.X mil. Someone was talking about a new Cirrus listed for 1.6 mil out there. A Meridian is 90 knots faster, turbine reliability, pressurized, radar, and carries 2 more adults. For your mission, sounds like a good match, and has turbine capability and reliability. But I think it is going to be a while before there is a substantial price drop. Might see some mild easing of prices if the economy tanks, but that is starting to look like a long shot in and of itself right now. One thing is for sure, medicals do expire, and very few have ever regretted moving to a turbine, as long as they can afford it.

Thank you Charles for replying, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your post/replies on this thread.

My regret is that I didn't purchase one a couple years ago. The market has gone crazy, especially for Meridians.

So glad to see you enjoying yours.

Inflation has been a huge factor. Everything is up 30% even McDonald’s.

Every toy I bought over 4 years ago has gone up in value at least 30%.

I now know what my dad was complaining about all those years. He could not believe what I was paying for things in the 90’s. Haha


Mike

It’s not greed, it’s inflation courtesy of the government.

No aircraft owner should be expected to sell their aircraft for less than what it is worth.

OTOH nothing is stopping you from offering what you believe they are worth. You may find a willing seller.