Hello braintrust,

I have a non-pilot friend that is looking for a TBM and wants some purchasing guidance. Looking for a rundown on the model differences, the big items to watch out for, and some good shops to do a pre-buy in. 1.2-2m is his budget.

He will hire a pilot. His mission is 2-4 pax +pilot with small luggage most trips are 300-1200nm. Most trips will only have 2 pax.

Thank you!

Avex in Camarillo is a well known TBM shop. I'd say go for a 700c2 or a legacy 850 with that budget.

Brent,

I just went through this sixty days ago.

There are only 4 C2's on the market. Non have a modern panel (well one has a couple of 750's). One is high time. Three are for sale by Avex so you can expect to pay through the nose for them.

For the a small increase in cost your friend can move to a legacy 850. In his price range can come the upgraded, more powerful engine, newer avionics, increased UL, newer airframe and pilot door if he cares (he probably doesn't think he does but if he has someone flying him it avoids that guy's ass in his face twice per flight. I have one and as a pilot I REALLY like it). At the low end of his budget would be B model with smaller door, smaller payload but same airframe and maybe upgraded avionics.

For general comparison of power, range, UL, speed, trip distances, fuel burns and DOC's go to www.newavex.com and use their comparison feature. For a decent market report go to www.jetaviva.com.

The 4 pax plus pilot will be a tad cramped. But the range is possible.

I had my pre buy done by Cutter in Dallas. They found that the service center that had been maintaining my plane had done the wrong inspection. I was impressed with their thoroughness on the paperwork which is very important along with the physical inspection. Avex has an excellent reputation as well - but so do all the other service centers. Get the prebuy done by a service center and use the one most convenient.

Now, most of the used planes are for sale by the dealer network. And while they employ some nice, and helpful, people they are like the mafia. They prices are tightly controlled. Ok they're rigged, to try to hold up the pricing on the aircraft. I'm now very happy about that... So, you may have some success looking outside of the dealer network.

Join TBMOPA for more detailed information. It's a very good site.

If you are going to hire someone to help you look I highly recommend Neal. By virtue of his assisting me he is up on the market, he is a terrific negotiator, highly professional, knows a lot of the mafiosi but is not one of them. He fees are also incredibly reasonable in comparison. Perhaps because he is not Sicilian, not descended from Sicilians and doesn't live in Little Italy.

Good luck in the search. If I can be of any assistance let me know.

Neal Swartz, A BTer here, Helps buyers with TBM purchases.

Seems like a legacy 850 is the way to go. Should be able to get into one WITH a G600/GTN750s upgrade and pilot door for that budget. The interface with the KFC 325 AP should work well via a GAD43e.

Really nice aircraft.

RM

Paging Chuck Taylor......

Does the 1200nm require the 4pax. (+pilot)?
Would any of them have a problem with the lack of a lav?

Yes, can the TBM do that?; RE: lav? no, at least that's what he thinks. He hasn't even flow in one yet, he's a bigger guy. We are going to find one he can fly in and go from there. I've talked to him about a PC12 but he thinks acquisition capital is out of his budget.

Everyone, thank you for the replies. We have a few options to look at now.

I agree, he needs to look off market to find a deal on a TBM.

I do have a client that will be upgrading to a larger airplane within the next few months, he has a 2003 TBM 700C2 that will need to go to make room.

He can call me at 512-688-5248 for info about it and to discuss acquisition services. I would encourage him to talk to Neal as well, his number is (914) 625-5776

Of course I always encourage turbine aircraft buyers to be represented, for their own protection... if you don't choose us, use someone reputable. Not all brokers are mafioso types... but a whole bunch are! Plus, a buyer's rep can find off market deals and trade-ins that he won't be able to find on his own.

Stu there has been lots of good info. Avex would be my last choice for purchasing a TBM from or having a prebuy done... Another thing I'd add is an outside broker like Neal S. would be very helpful for someone who doesn't want to take the time, months, to learn the market and planes. I've got another broker besides Neal that his forte is TBM's so Brent if they'd like the contact info PM me.

I, like Tony, have a Legacy 850, GW increase, larger engine thus more speed. Cheaper than a G1000 TBM with almost all the benefits. Marc B has moved up to a late model G850 and loves it. Take your pick lots of folks with real world experience. BWTHDIK

You can get a lav. I just bought one for my wife's birthday. It is a $150 camping toilet in a $10k box! (although I bought it new and unused for far less from someone's hangar). I suppose you could just skip the box and buy the $150 lav but mine came with a privacy curtain!

Still cheaper than a PC 12!

Brent,

I understand completely. I like easy too. I sold my Cirrus in 12 hours at the end of August and took delivery of my TBM at the end of September. Easy. And fast.

What was interesting was what transpired in between.

There is a certain kind of business that is very good at marketing. And getting customers to believe they possess special knowledge, insight or market power. They are able to succeed because there are people in the world who believe that stuff. There are businesses who have just as much knowledge or insight who deliver the goods for less. They deliver value. One isn't necessarily any easier than the other.

By the way, any serious analysis of a PC 12 vs. a TBM will show that the TBM costs more to own all things considered despite its higher purchase price. It is certainly more comfortable in the back than the TBM too although slower (although not on the 1200 mile trip where you'll have to pull the power back in the TBM to make it so you will be going PC 12 speeds or slower). If I was riding in the back I'd buy an older, cheaper PC12 because I wouldn't care about the things that make the newer ones more expensive.

One additional suggestion is to buy either TBMProflite or TBM Performance apps and model flight planning for those four people (especially if they are big people) and bags for the longer range trips to see what the real world performance is. By joining TBMOPA you can also get access to the various model PIM's to use for similar purposes.

I hope your friend finds what he wants quickly and easily.

Yes, can the TBM do that?;

Don't you have a conflict of interest trying to sell yourself to the buyer as the selling agent?

Don't you have a conflict of interest trying to sell yourself to the buyer as the selling agent?