RV-4 VS RV-8

celstar · #1 01-03-2016, 07:56 AM

Who would purchase a RV-8 over a RV-4 if price and components where about the same? Is the RV-8 a better all-Around airplane over the 4?

Toobuilder · #2 01-03-2016, 08:43 AM

It appears from your signature line that you have owned both a -4 and a -8 so you should be well qualified to answer your own question. What do you want to know?

Mel · #3 01-03-2016, 09:07 AM

For performance, looks, and fun, RV-4.

For comfort of passenger, especially for bigger people, the RV-8.

n82rb · #4 01-03-2016, 09:30 AM

what mel said.

for performance and balance, the lower the number the better they are. you can't beat a light 3 for pure fun. The 4 with long gear is the best looking of the bunch as far as im concerned. but the 8 wins for comfort and cross country flying.

bob burns
RV-4 N82RB

SMRacer · #5 01-03-2016, 09:48 AM

How can two similar airplanes be so different?

Both have strong points and weak points. BUT the weak points of the RV8 are quite tolerable. The weak points of the RV4 are more annoying.

So....given the choice of two airplanes with the same equipment and same price...I'd buy the RV8.

But the question is not relevant since the crossover in price is about $65K. That would buy you the very very best RV4, or a very iffy RV8. I bought the RV4 first because that's all I could afford. Then came the RV8 about 4 years later.

So that's the obvious solution... one of each.

And if you can't afford that, you must make a choice.

http://jimthill65.wix.com/rv4-for-sale

Jim
RV4 N444JT
RV8 N37PK
Both currently owned and flying

bjustus · #6 01-03-2016, 09:55 AM

I'm building a -7 but have owned -4s. If a pre-punched RV-4 kit is ever offered with better plans/instructions. I will place my order the next day. May attempt a non pre-punched -4 when I retire - we'll see.

What it really comes down to is if you need the space for a larger passenger. The RV-4 is a 1 and 3/4 seat airplane. Not a lot of room in the back, and not much room to work with on weight and balance. To me if I'm going to accommodate the passenger, might as well go side by side since that's what the pax will prefer and have the additional panel space, hence the -7 for me. Cosmetically I like the looks of the -4 the best and the -6/-7 second; -8 doesn't do it for me as much. But they're all RVs and amazing aircraft!

f14av8r · #7 01-03-2016, 10:03 AM

I love my RV-4. But, it is very limited when it comes to passengers / cargo. And, the front cockpit isn't huge either. It is most certainly just a single pilot aerobatic airplane. Trying to find a spot on the envelope to fly aerobatics with anything other than a Sports Illustrated model in the back is practically impossible.

I think it simply comes down to mission. I wanted a great day-dick-around airplane that could occasionally make a cross country flight. The -4 fits the bill.

Also, I do not think you are likely to find a similarly equipped and priced RV-4s and RV-8s. When I was shopping, a -8 with the same age / engine / prop / avionics, was always twenty to thirty thousand more than a similar -4.

n82rb · #8 01-03-2016, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f14av8r

Also, I do not think you are likely to find a similarly equipped and priced RV-4s and RV-8s. When I was shopping, a -8 with the same age / engine / prop / avionics, was always twenty to thirty thousand more than a similar -4.

that is the reality and will stay that way. first the slow build kit price difference is 5k, add a quickbuild kit vs standard 4 now you are up to 17k. most 4's have 320's most 8 have at least 360's there is a price premium on a 360 and up. same for C/S props. Plus the big tickets, you will never get all the things that you can put in a 8 panel in a 4 panel. so the price difference will stay that way.

bob burns
RV-4 N82RB

Saville · #9 01-04-2016, 09:50 AM

As always, it's a question of mission and money.

The best handling of the two seems to be the RV-4 by universal proclamation. However the -8 is no slouch.

The -8 has 100 miles more range, can carry more baggage, can carry two people plus baggage plus full tanks of gas.

RV-4 maxes out on gross weight with two people and gas - no margin for baggage. Also no margin for 2 chutes if that matters to you.

RV-8 has the possibility of two-up acro; RV-4 is single place acro only.

The RV-4's design point is for an O-320 and wooden prop. You can deviate from that...O-360 and/or CS prop. But handling will suffer. So will useful load.

-8 design point can easily handle an O-360 and CS prop.

When I was looking for an airplane I considered the -4 but only if it had the new design firewall weldments and the long landing gear legs. That reduces the population of possible airplanes considerably.

The price of the two airplanes will most likely not be the same. You can expect to pay more for an RV-8....20-40k more depending upon how it's fitted out.

I went with the -8 and am extremely happy that I did.

Neal@F14 · #10 01-04-2016, 06:06 PM

In the RV4, the longitudinal axis passes through your belly as you sit in the pilot's seat so when you roll it, your whole body rolls with the plane. In the 8, that axis passes through the seat of your pants so it feels more like you're sitting on the plane as you roll it. The 4 feels more like you're wearing the plane, like it's an extension of your whole body. I guess that's why so many folks say the 4 is more of a "pilot's plane" than the 8.