I just asked this question in my other MU2 thread but thought many might not see it buried on page 2.
At what price does an MU2 reach before it is considered not such a " bang for the buck " or or good value for the money.?

A low time airframe with low time engines and a panel update can push the airplane in the high $ 800k - $1mil category. Is it then considered a good value?

Look forward to hearing your opinions
Tom

Initial thought on this is $500-$600k range for -10 and good P&I is a good value. Over that, you are paying a premium.

Well I am not a MU2 shopper any longer I would say that when I was shopping I definately put a premium on either Solitaire or Marquis aircraft with the later model autopilots installed.

Engine times. The money is in the motors.

It costs 300k for a -10 OH at one of the big two. Others will tell you cheaper- it ain't, and I wouldn't buy a bird with OHs from elsewhere. I don't agree with Crossno's evaluation because (it would seem) it assumes mid time motors. Take the engine times and figure the remaining time, multiply that by the cost per hour in a TBO, then you know what the motors are worth. The balance is what airframe total time, P&I, and avionics are worth to you.

The M4D, btw, is more preferable to me than the Sperry, but of course, I'm a pilot, not a systems administrator, so...I rarely even turn the thing on. The machine is so stable it's kind of not really necessary save respecting the SFAR.

Btw- I read on one of these threads that the only proper MX is to be had in Tulsa on these, but I'm here to tell you Brian at JetAire in Green Bay and his crew are top notch. I have very little experience with the James' in Tulsa, but from my limited experience I'd use whichever was closer if I was new. I'm not- I don't care if I'm on the moon, JetAire gets my work unless I'm AOG. 20 years and eight airplanes in, they're the best I've dealt with. Again, I'm pretty sure ICJC is right there with the guys in Green Bay, but I'm so happy with what I've got now I won't switch so I'll never know.

FWIW, I was seriously in the market on a solitaire. At the time, there was only a partial handful actively "on the market". One of which is still on the market with old DH. I made a casual offer to check the sellers temp to sell and I was more or less told to find another one. This was a turn off for me so I just went away. Problem was, there wasn't anywhere else to go.

That's when I found out just how lucky of a man that I am. While discussing the matter with my wife, she said "at that price point we might as well get a jet". Imagine the look on my face

I still think the Mits is an amazing airplane and a good value.......to a point. Above 750k you better be prepared for a lengthy period of ownership and be willing to fly the engines off of it. Above that you're getting into jet territory with another 50-70kts of speed, another 13k in altitude, and much quieter.

The mits is very well supported and designed to last, a point well proven. However if you are committing to initial and annual recurrent training, insurance hurdles that are very similar, a CJ poses a very serious adversary.

Not withstanding any debt service considerations, it appears that the typical Mits will turn $$$ into noise to the tune of about 900k per hour. The CJ between 1100-1200.

I'm not trying to hyjack the thread so sorry if it looks that way. I'm just trying to draw attention to where the price of a Mits may start to be too much compared to alternatives.

Another way to look at it is that above $750k you are getting into the slowest of jets with a big depreciation hit yet to come.

Another way to look at it is that above $750k you are getting into the slowest of jets with a big depreciation hit yet to come.

With the Cirrus Jet and Honda Jet coming on the scene I expect depreciation in that market to at least keep pace with what we've seen the last years.

Which CJ can be run for 1100-1200 an hour and not cost 2mm?

Jets are cool but the range on the small ones is poor. The block speeds seem to get hurt by having to fly high all the time to get range. I already deal with this in the MU, it seemed worse in the small jets.

I wish the Williams converted citations were not so $$$. They have the speed and the range. I am hopeful all the new jets cause those to keep getting cheaper so I can eventually afford one!

Here's one for not a lot more than what you paid for your Solitaire:

http://www.controller.com/listings/airc ... tation-500

With the more efficient Williams engines, the range isn't too shabby either.

I think a used Stallion is a GREAT value. On par with the MU2.

I think this is a moving target in the current market, with the trend upward. There are not a lot of Solitaires and Marquise for sale right now so if you want a nicely equipped one you will pay a premium. When I put mine under contract in May I thought I was paying a premium. I don't think I can find a similar one at that price today.

Here's one for not a lot more than what you paid for your Solitaire:

http://www.controller.com/listings/airc ... tation-500

With the more efficient Williams engines, the range isn't too shabby either.

I think a used Stallion is a GREAT value. On par with the MU2.

Tom,

My comments would apply to any aircraft but essentially it is the point of "diminishing returns" or more simply stated - when the value of the airframe itself begins to approach $0. The publications are unable to provide this information directly but it is something that NAAA members address routinely with older aircraft and it is the first line item in our page of calculations (the Average Green Airframe Value). I have also published a few articles on this topic.

When aircraft get close to this point ($0), the improvements simply do not provide the overall returns they normally would. The aircraft is still airworthy of course but it essentially becomes more of a money pit.

Good luck.

I think they can all be SP'd now.

Problem with the small jets is range and stopping distance coupled with poor hot and high performance .

The garret powered TP are a better choice unless you want to spend 2.5million or more.