What would you buy for an old piston twin 50-60s era, engines over tbo, but plane in annual with okay compressions. Nice paint, clean interior, terrible avionics?

I wouldn't be interested; the forward looking costs would turn me off.

If you're looking for a project, then the answer is "as little as possible." Without specifics it's hard to say more.

Something very close to nothing. Similar mid-60s planes I've seen for sale in the 25-35k range, listed as time builders typically. Honestly, if you got it for free, you'd only want to fly it until something major went wrong. Unless of course the plane has sentimental or historical value, then you might find yourself wanting to restore it. But you'll always be upside down once you start.

I know you meant financially but if you think of that literally, you've got a poignant argument for the single vs. twin debate.

john,

Need a LOT more details, but just guessing, would probably be zero.

I just bought one yesterday (and I didn't get it for free). I guess I am a statitical outlier.

Much like Harley's, boats, many other airplanes or even kids ... There is no rational economic justification for a Piston Twin other than "I WANT ONE". Redundancy, higher useful load, comfort (mine is a flying living room) will help you explain it, but you are not buying one for efficiency or low operating cost.

I approached it with the question of "what would I need to do/spend for it to be capable for my mission". If purchase price plus upgrades makes it vastly more expensive than a similarly equipped plane then purchase price needs to be lower. However (as been said here many times) you will not get the full value of your upgrades when you sell. That G500 with a 750/650 has a high degree of "I just want it" too.

There are tremendous values to be had in old twins. Expect higher maintenance costs. However if you can find one that has been well taken care of others upgrades done on someone else's dime, you can get a very capable machine.

Is the goal for this time building or long term personal use?

And by "terrible avionics" do you mean a perfectly usable dual navcom panel or something that isn't even legal for class C?

Salvage Value + (Value of "I-just-gotta-have-it") + (Partial Value of any upgraded avionics in the plane) - (Estimated Cost of any must-have Upgrades) - ($15,000 if it's been sitting for more than 2 years) - ($15,000 if it's out of annual) =
(-) $13,245.76.

You are paying way too much for annuals

Greg,

Interesting post, but there's a TON of "it depends" questions. The OP asked, "what would I pay, perhaps not nothing, one would have to pay me to take it... don't care what it is, but I have no need for one.

But, you're right, there could be a LOT of value for one that has a need or want. And a lot depends on the mission. Perhaps he is in the salvage business, perhaps he could part it out and make a buck. Maybe he wants a cheap entry into twin flying, won't put a a lot of upgrades into it and will fly it until the engines run out. Could be a bargain in terms of total cost.

IF I were looking for a cheap Baron to fly 50 to 75 hrs a year and this one had good engines, but relatively high time, reasonably good maintenance, crummy radios and was airworthy, it would be on my shopping list. I'd buy it, perhaps put one good IFR GPS in it, have an IPad and just enjoy it for how many ever years, and sell when the engines ran out. It would most likely be WAY cheaper than a newer plane (total cost), probably less capable, but airworthy and safe. However, I'd rather find one with crummy paint, interior, good low time engines, good autopilot and a few GREAT radios, like a 750 or such, perhaps high time, but reasonably maintained. There's a few Barons that meet that description.

Too many questions to really get a feel for what the OP wants.

Serviceable. Something you can fly ifr. Just old narcos. It would just be a fly for fun plane. I don't have a mission, or real need. I think I should just call salvage yards and see what they would pay, then go from there. Having any twin that is flyable has to be worth 20k right? Someone might want it to build time. I'm not in any need of flight time so it would just be a pleasure bird for me.

that's the rub, "flyable.... 20k". at 20 k you're almost positively looking at large deferred down time maintenance after the thrill of purchase. I've been there done that.

if you really like projects and can handle long down time and paying big time for deferred needs, get a cheapy

if, like me, you just want to fly, even a loan and payments if necessary on a very well maintained bird will be a far more satisfying experience an likely no more expensive overall, probable less expensive

Find an Apache with no-AD props. The props are worth $10-15k and you can generally find a plane for $25k.

Alternatively something like

http://www.selectaviationservices.com/1 ... baron.html

This would very quickly part out at something close to the asking price.

Bottom line- buy something which will part out efficiently at the first large repair bill.

Serviceable. Something you can fly ifr. Just old narcos. It would just be a fly for fun plane. I don't have a mission, or real need. I think I should just call salvage yards and see what they would pay, then go from there. Having any twin that is flyable has to be worth 20k right? Someone might want it to build time. I'm not in any need of flight time so it would just be a pleasure bird for me.

^ chuckle @ "cheap pair of Narcos

I had an old low value twin and it was expensive. Probably mostly due to me getting wrapped up in the prop AD I dint see coming. (face palm).

I could have rented for less $$
I could not have learned more and had more fun tho