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11-12-2013, 07:05 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: WA
Posts: 988
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amazing value in -4s out there...
For a number of reasons, there are many great flying -4s for sale in the low to mid 40k range... far less than they can be built.
__________________
Stephen
RV7 powered by a lycoming thunderbolt IO-390
turning a whirlwind HRT prop
with more hours flying than building... 2,430 on the hobbs!
ORCA Flight
Race 771
margarita!
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11-12-2013, 08:39 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: granby co
Posts: 180
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RV4/RV8
If you have two trained fighter jocks, put one in a 4 and other in an 8 and the 4driver will eat the 8 up. The 4 will turn inside, out climb, and outrun the 8 anytime. Plus the four just looks better. (Read and heed Craig K.)
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11-12-2013, 08:59 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 976
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doyle231
$17,000 for rv4 vs $32,000 for rv8?
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As stated above, the $32K is for a QB kit. Standard Build is $22.4K, and in the kit you will far more parts finished to final standard than in the 4 (trust me, having built an 8 and most of a 3!).
Capflyer:
Quote:
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First, you will need at least 180hp on the RV8 but on the RV4 an O320 with 160hp is all you need. Big savings FWF there
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I am interested in why you say this? XIO-320 $26.5K, XIO-360 $28.6K and either engine can be used in an RV-4 or an RV-8. All the rest of FWF I think is essentially the same?
All the other points above are valid, and the 4 may well be the better aeroplane for you... My main point on this is that the 4 will be very little less to build in $ terms, and in kit terms, the extra $ is not because "it is an RV-8", but the finish of the parts is in a different league.
And also as echoed above, if $$ is your concern, you might just get back what you paid for an RV-8 kit. You will never do that on a 4 (or 3) IMHO.
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11-12-2013, 09:34 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allentown PA
Posts: 254
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As a new RV pilot, I'm VERY happy with my purchased of a used but well updated RV-4. If I were building, hands down I'd go with the quick build RV-8 for build quality and time, also the XC benefits are significant. If I were buying used, I'd go RV-4. You can't beat the RV-4 in terms of bang for buck and total performance. Smokey's post is spot on.
Last edited by Whitman : 11-12-2013 at 09:37 AM.
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11-12-2013, 09:39 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 337
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RV-4 Fastback with Sam James cowl...Brilliant!!!
The RV-4 Fastback with Sam James Cowl is a great looking plane! Mine has the 180HP and C/S prop and is a joy to fly. And with the engine/prop combo, CG is not a major issue for the back seat. I have had a 260lb pax on a few flights (not recommended but doable). 200lbers several times. And if you build it yourself it can be very comfortable both front and back. I custom built my seats and use to fly every week 900 mile roundtrip flights enjoyably. In the back seat I built a booster seat that placed the seat pan higher for a more comfortable sitting position. This works for <5'8" pax very well. I remove it for taller passengers and have had 6 footers in the back. I am 6'1" and 200lb and again, very comfortable in the front but built it to fit me. Much more baggage capacity volume with the fastback also.
As everyone has already mentioned, you can buy an RV-4 MUCH CHEAPER than you can build one. I bought four RV-4s before I built mine. But building one for YOU is priceless because you can build exactly what I want. It cruises at 180Knots, is cheap to own and while many advocate light and simple...I like the c/s prop for easier landing speed control/steeper descents, shorter takeoffs and for formation flying. My airplane fully equipped and painted came in at 1054lbs.
I bought an RV-8 and flew it for awhile. Didn't like the look or feel and sold it. Flew an RV-8 fastback several times and liked it better but still not for me. Owned an HRII for awhile but just too much $$$$ invested and operating costs too high. The RV-4FB, for me, is just right!
Good luck in your endeavors! Tailwinds!
__________________
Jj
Eagles Nest, TX
Built and FLYING RV-4 Fastback!
SOLD RV-6/RV-8/Rocket
Retired USAF, Current Boeing Driver
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11-12-2013, 02:40 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Albury Australia
Posts: 26
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jetj01, thanks to your unreal rv4 im in the position  as an engineer i could not bring myself to buy another persons kit built aircraft for both quality concerns and all the goodies i would want to add, autopilot etc. id like to think ill use it for x/c often but all we ever do is burn around locally. knowing it is a capable x/c machine helps my decision. the look is one of the main reasons i want a rv4 that and being able to basically own a small rocket without all the costs of owning one! thanks for all the info guys! much appreciated.
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11-12-2013, 07:45 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,558
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My opinion is (worth what you paid for it) - if you are buying a plane, buy the RV4. If you are building a plane, build an RV8. Simple enough?..
__________________
SH
RV6/2001 built/sold 2005
RV8 Fastback/2008 built/sold 2015
RV4/bought 2016/sold/2017
RV8/2018 built/Sold(sadly)
RV4/bought 2019 Flying
Cincinnati, OH/KHAO
JAN2020
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11-12-2013, 08:17 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Vancouver, WA USA
Posts: 908
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RV-4 yes!
I'll sell you on the 4, first used ones are less $ then 8s because there all older and lesser equipped then most 8s however I think there have been a few newer ones of great quality go for the high $70s wile most old simple ones go for 40 to 50k.
Don't let them steer you away from building the -4, most where built by first time builders, you can do it too. With the right seats you can fly cross country all day, my wife loves riding, my friends never turn down an offer to go flying in the -4, the control harmony is beautiful, I never get tired of flying my -4! There is just something about the 4 the rest just don't capture, there all great but for me it had to be a 4 and I haven't regretted it for one minuet. Oh and I could have built one cheaper then the one I bought but it has been worth every penny!
Last edited by Russ McCutcheon : 11-12-2013 at 08:20 PM.
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11-13-2013, 06:35 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 51
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I've only flown in a single Vans model, the -4, so I have zero weight behind my opinion. Disclaimer aside, I haven't regretted choosing the -4 one bit. It is the perfect plane for my mission, which simply put, was a fun VFR taildragger that could do 'sport' aerobatics with the rare occasion to carry a passenger.
95% of my time is solo and I may only have a few hours in the past 50 I've put on her where I didn't go inverted at least once. An absolute joy. Is it a go some place plane? Some -4s are, mine--not so much. I don't mind a 2/hr flight but beyond that, the bum hurts and it's time to stretch. No gyros, currently no GPS. It's just a get up in the air and fly like you dreamed as a kid type plane.
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11-13-2013, 07:43 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Around the worlder.
Jon Johannson from Oz has flown his around the world twice, carrying 18 hours of fuel  So, yes, it's definitely a "go places" airplane. First time he went west to east, via Oshkosh, next time east to west, via Osh.
Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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