The M4-145 with Cont O300 will get 120mph, burn 7.2gph, easily carry 2 plus dog, has metal cowl, bootcowl, wings and controls, can burn autogas, has fabric tailcone and tailfeathers, and parts are cheap. Well under $50,000. First built 1963.
There are other more powerful Maules that can be acquired under $50k and go faster but the only other autogas model is the M5-180 with CS prop, 4 seat, 145mph, 9.8gph, 1000lb useful etc. These can sometimes be under $50k.
C182 aileron new $5700.
Maule aileron new $900.

As a previous 182 owner and a spinner costing $1000 un-finished.. its interesting to see the price of aileron. Something i had not considered. I am back in the aircraft market and pondering options.

Another vote for the pa-20 or converted -22 if you can bend on the metal/fabric deal. My first plane was a pacer; I regularly operated out of 1200 to 2000 feet. Great back seat and rear compartment for dogs and gear. I'm 6'3 and the front was snug but not as tight as a cub. I've owned the pacer and two 180's and I'd get another pacer in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I'd look for a later model -22 that's had the univair conversion. They are easier to find, mostly have o-320s and have better interiors. You can get a good one for about 30k. Should be enough to offset the fabric/storage issue. 150 horse pacer with a set of 8.50's is a good backcountry plane.

Bill

My C170B was one of only three planes I regret selling!! I believe it fits your profile and it will be an airplane you will get to love. Additionally, later on you can re power it, and get a much better airplane. I believe few airplanes, for us backcountry pilots, can beat a 180hp C170B.

As a matter of fact, my 170 is again for sale, and I am considering buying it again. I love it that much. Sure, Maules, SCs, and 180s are more powerful, land and take off shorter, etc. But, overall, it's hard to beat a 170B.

Eduardo

This is remarkably similar to my criteria: 2 people plus 2 dogs (90-95 lb each). I know I won't have these dogs forever, but I will likely always have at least one dog. Ideal choice would be Sportsman 2+2 or Bearhawk, but I am unwilling to spend that much money. Maybe the Rans S-10 or Just Highlander would work also, but I don't have time to build and those still have a higher upfront cost. That leaves the PA-20/22 and C-170/172 as the best options I think. I wouldn't be doing much, if any, off airport for a long time so I would be fine with conventional or tricycle gear. Later on down the road I would either want to make it more capable or sell and get a dedicated plane that can handle off airport. I think the PA-20/22 would be better choice to upgrade later or maybe the 170. The 172 wouldn't be able to be upgraded like that so that would would be traded out or just kept as a non-off airport plane. It is tough to decide ...

If you weren't so set on a metal body, Citabrias and Champs do great on fuel and performance. They are also cheap and do great off-airport. Don't go with anything less than a 150hp. in either plane. Fabric covered planes handle weather just fine. Another way to choose a plane is to have your wife pick one she will be comfortable sitting in

ductape wrote:If you weren't so set on a metal body, Citabrias and Champs do great on fuel and performance. They are also cheap and do great off-airport. Don't go with anything less than a 150hp. in either plane. Fabric covered planes handle weather just fine. Another way to choose a plane is to have your wife pick one she will be comfortable sitting in

I was looking at Citabrias, but they also might not meet his 2 people plus dog and gear criteria. I haven't seen enough in person though.

I still don't understand the fuel burn concern. I normally fly my 260hp O-540 powered Bearhawk at 10 gph. When I fly with similar style planes with O-320's or O-360's burning 7-9 gph, I have to throttle back further and burn the same fuel they do at the same airspeed.

Ty

If you decide to look for a PA-22/20 I'd say that the 0-320, squared wings, and Cleveland wheels/brakes are a must for decent short field performance. Nice to haves would include a Steve's Aircraft skylight, dual toe brakes, stol cuff and/or VG's. Lots of STC's available from Steve's Aircraft, Eddie Trimmer, and Svenns. I've got mine at Steve's now for a minor rebuild. Mine has the 160hp 0-320, x-winds stol cuff, and cubcrafters tips. Steve and Brian are recovering the fuselage now, adding VG's, 406 elt, rudder trim stc, and 29" shaved Alaska Tundra tires. My useful load when I dropped it off was 807 lbs (1193.empty / 2000 gross). However, I'm expecting that i'll lose 20-30 lbs of useful load after the tire swap. Perfect for two adults and two kids/dogs and you can still put 100 lbs in the baggage compartment behind the kids/dogs. I wouldn't be that concerned about storing it outside if the fabric job is decent. Guys in Alaska do it all the time in one of the harshest environments imaginable.

Hi Mike,

There is a plane out there that might work for you and your needs. I fly a Stinson here in Alaska and is a great back country. Performer . It might be something to look into. Just my thought is all. Ken in Alaska.

I've been flying my '57 Straight -tail 172 into "easy" backcountry places for a couple of years with great success. My best fuel burn on a cross-country was 7.1 GPH. Sure, they're a little under-powered. I had to leave Stehekin last summer by about 10am before it got too hot
Anyway... great airplane if you like the tricycle gear... We take two dogs and all of out gear with the back seat in.

Oh, we discussed selling it this weekend since we have the Stinson now BTW....

Aeronca Sedan, if you can find one. The modified 180hp Sedans are darn good airplanes. I think MTV would agree…

Two pieces of advice, which I've always thought need to be at the top of the list regarding airplane purchases:

1. Make sure you know what your 90% mission is, i.e., what you'll use the airplane for most of the time. Are you really going to go into the back country a lot, or are you really going to just go sight-seeing a lot, or are you really going to take long trips most of the time? Are you really going to fly alone most of the time, or with your wife or a buddy most of the time? Do you really need a back seat, or a large baggage area? Questions like that help develop your 90% mission.

2. After you've concluded what your 90 % mission really is, then fly several airplanes which fit that mission. Some just won't please you--others you'll fall in love with--and just because someone else loves or hates an airplane doesn't mean you will. And like someone suggested, take wife's advice, too. If she insists that she wants to sit beside you, that eliminates the Citabrias and Super Cubs and other tandem seating aircraft, for instance.

Finally, of course, recognize that purchase price is only the tip of the iceberg. Some airplanes are maintenance hogs, not because of the brand name, but just by chance. If so, you really want one that any IA and any A&P can fix, not one that parts are a pain to find.

Oh, BTW, don't forget that used airplanes and used parts go together, which really keeps the price of repair in check.

Good luck!

Cary

Did the OP buy a plane yet? My first thought was a 170B, although I don't know what kind of DAs he might be dealing with. There's a nice '52 170B on the Anchorage Craigslist right now that meets all his stated criteria.
-DP