I can't take it anymore... been lurking and reading archives long enough, got to get involved. I'm in North East Texas currently flying a Cessna 175 from my backyard grass strip. It's a nice one, really clean & straight with a STOL kit (although I'm not quite sure which one) and stock GO-300. It actually belongs to my dad, but he's pretty much reached the age where he doesn't fly much anymore and I'm really it's only pilot these days. I could buy it and do all the fun things I have in mind (bigger tires, bigger engine, etc.) but what I really want is a(nother) 182. Most of my hours are in a '66 182J and a '68 182L and I'm spoiled. I find myself seriously considering an earlier one...(love the manual flaps!) but I'm 6'2 & 220 as are my brothers (also pilots) and some of the guys that I fly with and I LOVE the extra shoulder and elbow room of the '62+ ones. Anyway, hope to find the right deal on the right plane and purchase one pretty soon. Then hope to build it up (over time as I fly it) the way I really want it and keep & fly it for many years to come. Thinking Pponk, Sportsman, bigger tires, cool paint job, maaaaybe Wing X too? Who knows? We'll get there later.

But, first.... it's time to fix and upgrade the panel in the 175 (like right now). The intercom just quit working, and the Mode C has been intermittent for a while now, (time for ADS-B... I'm thinking?) and the PTT button on the co-pilot side has never worked. We don't intend to keep this plane much longer, so I'm not wanting to go "all out" on it and spend WAY more than we'll get back, but do need it functional to enjoy, and sell, once the 182 comes home to roost. So if anyone has any good ideas on cheap ADS-B ...... (I may post more specific stuff on this later in a more appropriate forum)


Brad

Welcome Brad. Keep the RPM up on your GO-300 and run it out. It is very near as capable as the 182. I had one I ended up trading even for a Pawnee in Lubbock in 1979. When did your dad get it.

He's probably had it 5 years or more now. But we've had 2 others in the family before. He had a nearly identical 1960 model waaay back in 1967-1968 when I was very young, too young to remember really. Then I owned a 1958 straight tail one for a short while. We know about running them at higher RPM, cruise at 2900, and keeping the prop pulling the plane etc. generally, we are big fans of the 175. So it's very tempting to just keep this one. But man it seems tight for my family of 4. I have a wife & 2 teen-age daughters, so "pack light" just doesn't compute.

Stick with the Drifter! More fun and much cheaper.

Kurt

I'm 6'4" 230lbs and fly an early 180, same cabin as the early 182. I think you'll be totally fine in an early one. I came from renting late model 182s and don't miss them. The only time I have missed the shoulder room was on a 10 hour xc from CO to MS in June with another guy my size in the passenger seat. Wasn't uncomfortable by any means, but it would've been nice to have room to stretch out when we were on human-autopilot for hours at a time in the heat of summer. Good luck and have fun whatever path you take!

-Asa

With a Wife and TWO daughters- Reads like ya need a 206

Just sayin'.


Wannabe Chris C

Darn right about the Drifter! Most fun flying I've ever done. I've owned 2 of them, both Super Drifters with the 912 Rotax. Sure miss it. If had had $$ and hangar space 2 planes, that would most definitely be my #2.

And the 206 is way up there on my daydream list too, in particular the P206 (or 205) with the co-pilot door. But for the $$, I think the 182 will be enough.

NETX wrote:...it's time to fix and upgrade the panel in the 175 (like right now). The intercom just quit working, and the Mode C has been intermittent for a while now, (time for ADS-B... I'm thinking?) and the PTT button on the co-pilot side has never worked. We don't intend to keep this plane much longer...So if anyone has any good ideas on cheap ADS-B ......

I'd fix the intercom, and knock the "intermittent" out of the mode C, but if I were you I wouldn't do a big upgrade like ADS-B out.
IMHO the upgrade cost rarely increases the sale price the same amount.
Get the squawks fixed, but leave the upgrades to the next guy.
Depending on where you and/or the next owner live & fly,
the lack of ADS-B may not be a big deal.

Welcome Brad. Hunt me down and introduce yourself if you come to the Roundup.

Hey I sure will! My wife & I plan to be there camping with the 175,
N8192T