Purchase advice - RV-4

[jcfields]

Howdy all,

As some of you may (or may not) know, I'm trying to sell my '58 J35 Bonanza. However, given the wonderful state of the market right now, that's a tall order at any asking price. Anyway, I've had it listed since July with no luck (obviously) so far, so I started considering trading down to something less expensive to own and operate (assuming I could find a willing buyer/trader). I figured it might be kinda nice to have something cheap to fly anyway while I (slowly) build my RV-7. I was thinking Grumman AA1x or Cessna 150/2; however, I ran across a gentleman that is willing to trade up to my Bo' in exchange for taking his RV-4 as partial payment.

So, to the point, I was wondering what the experts here think about said RV. I know how pilots like to spend each other's money , so I was hoping you could spend mine wisely for me... I'll post the specs below. Also, are there any special areas/items/gotchas that I should look for? Obviously taking an experienced RV guy with me to do the pre-buy is a given. I'm just trying to do some research ahead of time. So what do ya'll think?

Specs:
Asking price $49,500
Color: Base coat: Silver blue metallic with dark navy blue stripes (2 shades) on fueslage and tops & bottoms of wings.
Aircraft hangared since new.
Interior: All over light gray, with gray cloth seats trimmed in blue vinyl (Fireblocked materials, w/confor foam inserts)
Times are approximate, since the plane is flown regulary.
TTSN: 715
TTSFN Lycoming 0320E2B, 1855
TSTOH 450
TSNP 200
ENGINE OPTIONS:
Spin on oil filter
Electric pad heater
K&N air filter
Quick drain oil valve
SkyTech lightweight starter
Vetterman stainless exhaust system
Sterba 68/70 prop
Concorde Gel Cell battery G25XL
AIRCRAFT DETAILS
Tru-Trak Pictorial Pilot Autopilot coupled to GPS (Works Great!)
Garmin Pilot III GPS (Moving Map) Hardwired w/external antenna.
King KX-197A Flip/flop comm.
Narco AT-50 Transponder w/encoder
Sony CD/AM/FM Stereo
Sigtronics Intercom W/Music mute
Duel "eyeball" air vents
Seatbelts w/shoulder harness
Dropped rear cockpit floors
Rear flight controls (Stick & Rudder pedals)
Manual Flaps & Trim
ELT /w remote test panel/remote antenna
Belly Strobe light
Navigation lights
Two place canopy gust lock, with Taxi position (allows the canopy to be open, but locked in place so you don't have to hold it)
Two wing tanks, 16 gals each
Last annual March '08 New Tires & tubes, Brakes
Aircraft is built light, 917 lbs empty
Performance is per Van's reports, Solo, 193 mph @75% @ 8000', 174mph @ 55% @ 8000'
2000' ROC is normal

[Mike S]

Sound to me like you need to work on a tail wheel endorsement

Not too sure where Denton is, but there are a few RVers in Texas-----geting someone knowledgeable to look at the 4 should be fairly easy.

Big Q------how often do you fly the Bonanza with more than 2 SOB???

[jcfields]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Sound to me like you need to work on a tail wheel endorsement

...and get some acro training

Originally Posted by Mike S

Not too sure where Denton is, but there are a few RVers in Texas-----geting someone knowledgeable to look at the 4 should be fairly easy.

Denton is the top corner of the "Golden Triangle" of the DFW metro; I'm about 30 mi's from Dallas and about 40 mi's from FW. From what I can tell, this is a good place to be if you're into RVs.

Originally Posted by Mike S

Big Q------how often do you fly the Bonanza with more than 2 SOB???

When we lived up in NE, it was nearly every time the Bo' flew. Now that we live close to our families, never. It's nearly always me or me+1. I need a toy now, not a minivan My only fear is that w/ an RV already at the AP, my build project may slow down considerably - "let's see... it's nice out today... should I go fly or go pound rivets...?"

[rwhittier]

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered...

[N941WR]

Check the engine mount for cracks. Same goes for the steel stiffeners aft of the firewall.

If you see any wrinkles on the firewall or forward skins, don't do the deal.

Also, check the mothership for service bulletins.

[jcfields]

Originally Posted by N941WR

Check the engine mount for cracks. Same goes for the steel stiffeners aft of the firewall.

If you see any wrinkles on the firewall or forward skins, don't do the deal.

Also, check the mothership for service bulletins.

Thanks for the advice; I'll keep this in mind when I look at the plane.

My only real (inexperienced) concern about the plane so far, without seeing it, is the engine time. Would it be reasonable to expect that the 1800+ hr O320 will hold up for another 700+ hrs? I know it had a TOH 450 hrs ago, so the jugs should be good, but how long should the bottom last? Is there any way to determine its condition w/o doing something invasive (aka "expensive")?

Thanks for all the comments guys; please keep 'em comin'.

[rwhittier]

Those Lyc bottom ends are awful robust. If the oil pressure is good and there is nothing in the oil analysis that suggests bearing problems I would be willing to fly one well past TBO. Do make sure of the normal stuff, like maintenance, AD's, engine history, etc... Also make sure you factor in the value equation that any other buyer in the future will consider the engine needing an OH.

Any deeper analysis will require invasive (aka expensive) work.

Originally Posted by jcfields

My only real (inexperienced) concern about the plane so far, without seeing it, is the engine time. Would it be reasonable to expect that the 1800+ hr O320 will hold up for another 700+ hrs? I know it had a TOH 450 hrs ago, so the jugs should be good, but how long should the bottom last? Is there any way to determine its condition w/o doing something invasive (aka "expensive")?

Thanks for all the comments guys; please keep 'em comin'.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by jcfields

"let's see... it's nice out today... should I go fly or go pound rivets...?"

Gotta stay current

[jcfields]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Gotta stay current

I can see where it might be easy for me to slip into a situation where I'm spending money that should go towards the -7 on the -4 instead - "Man, 180 hp would be nice... How 'bout a CS prop...? Man I sure would like a nice glass, IFR panel... etc., etc..."

My -7 tail kit is on its 3rd owner w/ me, and I'm really hoping third time's a charm w/ it. Just gotta keep from going all A.D.D. on the -7 if I get this -4.

BTW, Mike, I'm starting to think you're a bad influence...

[Ron Lee]

I don't know the RV4 market but I would plan on acting (purchase and resell) as if this is a run-out engine.