I have owned two airplanes: a Piper Cherokee 140 and a Piper Cherokee 235. Both of which are fixed gear airplanes. I would like to go faster and it strikes me that one way to do that is to get landing gear out of the airflow creating drag. I spoke with a guy across the way from me at our airport, and he said, "Stay away from retracts. You can go fast with fixed gear. But then you don't have to pay the maintenance on the retracts which has been - by a large margin - the most expensive part of maintaining any of the airplanes I've owned. I just won't buy retracts any more." I wonder what other's experience is with that.

Lets break it down As listed: - Model: Cessna 182F Skylane (early model, 1965) - Asking price: $260,000 - Engine: ~1050 hrs SMOH (TBO 1500, likely O-470-R) - Avionics: - Interior/Exterior: Full refurb including new glass (2023) - Other: Flown weekly, no damage history, digital logs, hangared at KRBD - Extras: X-Plane 11 sim with RealSimGear panel (minor bonus) - Annual: Due next month, included in sale Market Context - Older 182Fs through early 182Ps typically sell between $140K–$200K. - Upgraded late-model 182Ps and Qs run around $190K–$260K. - Exceptionally modernized early 182s with GFC500, GTN750, etc. occasionally reach $220K–$290K. - So this plane is priced at the very top end for its vintage, but its upgrades push it into that upper tier. Value Breakdown Powertrain (7.5/10) - Engine has about two-thirds of its TBO used. - Strong performance per Savvy data, burns no oil. Avionics (9.5/10) - GTN750, dual G5s, and GFC500 = top-tier modern IFR setup. - Panel upgrade alone worth around $60K+. Airframe / Interior / Exterior (9/10) - All redone in 2023 including windows. - Hangared and corrosion-free — impressive for a 1965 model. Documentation & Condition (10/10) - Fully digitized logs, Savvy engine data, no damage, flown regularly. Market Liquidity (8/10) - Not a quick-sell plane due to age, but avionics appeal to IFR buyers. Price Efficiency (7/10) - Premium asking price, but extensive modernization justifies much of it. Overall DealScore: 84 / 100 — Strong Buy if condition is as represented. Expert Take Strengths: - Among the best-equipped classic 182Fs flying today. - True IFR platform with safety upgrades (autopilot, engine monitor). - Continuous use and Savvy monitoring reduce hidden risk. - Excellent documentation and maintenance pedigree. Watchouts: - Airframe is nearly 60 years old — always inspect thoroughly for corrosion. - Engine has around 450 hours left to TBO, so plan for future overhaul costs. - Resale ceiling likely tops out around $240K–$250K.

Anyone have a plane they are looking for at the moment? I find a few and break down the trade a plane ad for the best 3 deals

You’ve just found your hangar for smart aircraft shopping. This Skool community is where we look at the best Trade-A-Plane deals every month — focused on Cessna 172s, 182s, Bonanzas, and Cirrus SR22s.If you’re a pilot thinking about buying, upgrading, or finally stepping into ownership, this is where we cut through the noise together. 🧭 What We Do Here: Every month, I review hundreds of listings and pull together a shortlist of the best values in the piston market.We talk through why each airplane made the list — price vs. condition, avionics stack, maintenance history, and resale potential. The goal isn’t to sell airplanes.The goal is to help you move from “just looking” to a qualified prebuy inspection — efficiently, confidently, and without wasting months chasing dead ends. 🛠️ How to Get Started: 1️⃣ Introduce yourself – Tell us what you fly now (or want to), your mission, and your purchase timeline. 2️⃣ Read the latest “Top 10 Deals” post – That’s where you’ll see how we break down each airplane. 3️⃣ Join the next live call – We meet on the first Sunday of each month at 7 PM CT to walk through current listings together. 💬 What You’ll Find Inside - Monthly Deal Posts — ranked picks and market commentary - Member Deal Reviews — post your own find and get feedback - Path to Prebuy — guidance on narrowing options and working with shops - Avionics & Upgrades — Garmin retrofits, panel planning, and ownership insights - Hangar Chat — casual talk and real-world experience from fellow pilots ⚙️ A Few Ground Rules - Use your real name and be respectful. - No selling, spamming, or brokering. - Keep posts focused on buying, evaluating, or owning piston GA aircraft. - Everything here is for education — verify details with your own A&P/IA. 📣 Need Expert Help? If you want direct help getting from “interesting listing” to “ready for prebuy”, you can book a Deal Vet Session or a full Prebuy Concierge service under Consulting Offers.That’s where I step in one-on-one to save you time and headaches.

Here’s a summary of key market-trends for the Cirrus SR22 this month (November 2025) — based on broader used general-aviation data plus what we’re seeing in SR22 listings. While model-specific statistical databases are thin, the indicators are meaningful for deal-finding. What’s working in the SR22 market - Inventory of modern SR22s (especially G5/G6/G7 models) is modest but growing: As older owners move toward jets or newer types, more SR22s are coming on the market. This is helping buyer leverage. - Buyers are placing increasing premium on recent avionics and safety upgrades (e.g., latest glass panels, autopilot, ADS-B/WAAS) rather than just airframe hours. The ideal is a well-equipped year and a lower time. - Tax and financing environment remains favorable for buyers. According to one recent commentary, conditions are “buyer-favorable” heading into Q4 2025—less mismatch of urgency on the seller side. (LifeStyle Aviation) - For SR22s specifically, newer certified enhancements (for example the G7 with updated cockpit in early 2024) give strong resale value support. (Wikipedia) What’s putting pressure / caution areas - Asking prices overall among used GA aircraft are showing signs of stabilization or slight downward adjustment. While not strong declines, some softness is creeping in. (controller.com) - Older SR22s (pre-G3, high time, with less modern avionics or no autopilot/ADS-B) are less differentiated and face tougher negotiation. - With more inventory (especially of late-model SR22s), sellers may need to make realistic adjustments—so buyer patience and preparedness matter. - Engine/airframe SMOH (since many SR22s are higher-utilisation) and documentation (logs, damage history) continue to be differentiators. If those are weak, value erodes quickly.