So, the C140 I used to own 50% of is now 100% for sale. I'm tempted. For an excuse, I'd like to build more tailwheel time while working on the homebuilt. There are obvious reasons not to, finite leisure time being at the top of the list.

But here's something else: ease of resale. I'm not looking to get married.

If I buy a C140 in the low-$20k range, how hard will it be to sell in a couple of years? I recently talked to a dealer who said they don't like to sell inexpensive airplanes, as their overhead is the same for a Luscombe or a Cirrus. I assume brokers feel the same way, which means I'd be listing on Barnstormers and talking on the phone.

Barnstormers is pretty easy to list and sell aircraft yourself, as is tradeaplane and controller. With all due respect to aircraft dealers and brokers, the sub 40k or so market is most times best left to FSBO, unless you just don't have the time to show and field calls or messages.

I guess I'm asking about the market more than the mechanics of listing. Are people buying these cheap taildraggers?

Of course, it's no 172 in terms of market but like a lot of planes, it's a niche where there is a very specific buyer. When I sold my 140, it was to a guy that looked at the various sites everyday until the right 140 popped up. .........just like I did when I bought it.

Unless you have it listed somewhere, you may not uncover that buyer. I will admit, though, that I almost had it sold on field a couple of times.

YES, people like these 140s. However, I am getting the impression that airplanes and boats are really tough to sell right now.

My new mantra is to only buy things at fire sale prices because that's all the next guy is going to pay you for it.

In general Michael, I tend to agree. However.......people are willing to step up for quality. You just can't have your head in the clouds as a seller. If you have something quality, with decent equipment and no drama, you will have buyers.

Having recently sold a cessna 140, I would say it was not enjoyable. Any plane that is less then a Honda Accord brings out every guy dreaming of owning an airplane. I gave more rides to people that never spoke to me again then I can remember. I eventually "gave" the plane away for a low price just to be ride of it.

Don't get me started on the phone calls and questions asked....

Unless it's an amazing restoration/osh kosh winner it is not worth a number that starts with 2. If it were me buying I would never pay more then 18 either...

I also have a boat for sale, hardly a phone call....

if it's a top notch 20k plane it will eventually sell on barnstormers in 6-8 months, my cub cost me about 5k/yr to have fun with.
gary

You're either going to sell it for the right price or the right quality. Most things that don't sell just aren't priced right, and the buyer bought with the wrong price, or the price is retail and the product is not at the top 10% of the market.

Quality wise, the stuff that doesn't move are items that appear to be in a mid-life crisis, or that the owner should have sold 5 years ago... or figured he'd just fly it a few more years and sell it so I'm not doing "X". The stuff that moves has low time engines, the latest GPS, and a presentable interior.

Still, 100% of a plane is going to sell easier than 50% of one, and will something with the value of a used minivan really make or break you to market 6 months?

Still, it isn't a 172 or 182.

Boats? Don't get me started. That's truly an area where there are bargains on the used market, but they depreciate like hell. Planes you have to maintain but seldom depreciate in this class.

I've read that Vref is largely unhelpful. And reading Trade-a-Plane just shows the wishful thinking of some sellers.

For anything on eBay and for houses, you can find out what things have actually sold for. Is there a way to do that with airplanes?

Put an ad for the plane on barnstormers priced at $15k and see if the phone rings. That will give you an idea.

Post some photos Stuart! I love Cessna 140s! If you got a creampuff, I'll sell it for ya!
No charge! Can you fly it to Washington St. for a Pre-buy? Just Kiddin! Not about selling it for you though!

Well, after several chats with interested parties, I'm passing for the moment. I think he's asking too much and I don't want to stress the relationship by telling him what I think it's worth.

So, he'll run an ad and we'll see how it goes. As the market talks, we'll both get a better idea of what it's worth and how hard it is to sell.

Or I'll just learn to fly the Bonanza better and take that to the little strips I'm missing!

I just spent a bunch of time helping a local kid find a 140. He isn't exactly flush with cash and it took some time to find a decent airplane that he could afford. It seems like the market is saturated with $20,000+ 140s. In that bunch was everything from junk to a beautiful example with a full Garmin stack including dual 430W's and an autopilot! Most stay on the market for quite some time.

The market for $15,000 140s is moving though. If a halfway decent plane is priced in this range, it seems to move in a couple of weeks.