Count another vote for the Stinsons. My 108 has never let me down, even up at high density altitudes during summer in the Rockies. It's been even better since I swapped the Franklin 165 for an O-360. You can PM me if you want some details.

Not a broker, but I seem to always be 'on the lookout' for planes for friends that I know that are looking for something in particular. Ironically, I looked at a Stinson (not for sale) and recalled how I had looked at them many years ago. I think they're a great plane, the only downside to them for most guy here in MN, is the difficulty in finding the correct sized floats for them. The one that I looked at had a 220 Franklin with floats, awesome plane, but engine parts were iffy at the time.

This might not be a consideration for the guy looking for this under $80K bushplane, just figured I would toss the idea out in case that person may have future aspirations to go on floats.

Geoffb wrote:You know the answer. O-360 pacer and pocket the extra $30k.

While I personally endorse this idea, being a big fan of Pacers, I’m not sure it’s doable anymore at a market level. Like everything else, a good Pacer has gone up in price. A. basic O-360 has gone up in price.

The Bushmaster or Producer is where it’s at. Extended fuselage. Longer wings. Bigger engine. It’s the ultimate 4-seat Cub class IMO. But now we’re up to Super Cub prices.

A quick cruise through Bstormers reveled 6 Citabrias listed at or below $80K.

Zzz wrote:

Geoffb wrote:You know the answer. O-360 pacer and pocket the extra $30k.

While I personally endorse this idea, being a big fan of Pacers, I’m not sure it’s doable anymore at a market level. Like everything else, a good Pacer has gone up in price. A. basic O-360 has gone up in price.

The Bushmaster or Producer is where it’s at. Extended fuselage. Longer wings. Bigger engine. It’s the ultimate 4-seat Cub class IMO. But now we’re up to Super Cub prices.

Zane,

If your buddy shows up at my place in Corvallis with anywhere near $80K, he'll go home with a sub 1,100 lb, 180HP pacer.

Geoffb wrote:

Zzz wrote:
Zane,

If your buddy shows up at my place in Corvallis with anywhere near $80K, he'll go home with a sub 1,100 lb, 180HP pacer.

How did we never meet when I lived in Oregon? I'll be in Corvallis in May, might have to stop by.

Shoot me a PM sometime

Mapleflt wrote:A quick cruise through Bstormers reveled 6 Citabrias listed at or below $80K.

Most good pilots can get a moderate to higher power citabria to do 95% of anything a super cub can do

As far as backcountry strips a >100hp citabria can go to like 99% of the strips people post about

I tried to find a 150+ HP Pacer for $60-80k for a friend over a couple of months but never could find anything worth looking at. I still think a Pacer is a great option but prices sure have gone up.

I wish people would stop talking up Pacers, it’s making the prices on them go up. They are great airplanes, but they are not that much faster than a cub with all the goodies, the back seat is cramped for full size adults, and the over-the-nose visibility is not very good. There, that ought to keep the prices down. If one doesn’t need Cessna like speed, or Super Cub like performance then a Pacer might fit the bill. The rear passenger door makes it pretty handy to load, and on 31s with a Borer it does alright. My kids are less than 100lbs combined at the moment, so it works perfect for us. Make sure your friend looks into the difference between PA-20s, and “PA-22/20s”.

If a tailwheel isn’t necessary then maybe something like this could be an option.
https://anchorage.craigslist.org/avo/d/ ... 36875.html

That would fill the mission nicely. Not cub performance but it has big fuel, nice payload, and flown properly Pacer or better, will do quite well!!
DENNY

If he could be talked down to 80k - this would be a choice candidate: https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... atid=16404

In fact, at that budget, I would be looking for a sedan with an upgraded engine in general. They are super well designed airplanes.

Scolopax wrote:If he could be talked down to 80k - this would be a choice candidate: https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... atid=16404

In fact, at that budget, I would be looking for a sedan with an upgraded engine in general. They are super well designed airplanes.

This.... and if he said no, I'd borrow the rest, eat top ramens for a minute and smile knowing I had an iconic airplane that truly fits perfectly between a supercub and a 180, and overlaps with both in many areas.

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:

Scolopax wrote:If he could be talked down to 80k - this would be a choice candidate: https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... atid=16404

In fact, at that budget, I would be looking for a sedan with an upgraded engine in general. They are super well designed airplanes.

This.... and if he said no, I'd borrow the rest, eat top ramens for a minute and smile knowing I had an iconic airplane that truly fits perfectly between a supercub and a 180, and overlaps with both in many areas.

Take care, Rob

Now this is a MAGA (Make Aeronca Great Again) agenda I can support.

Sorry Zzz I just couldn't resist, I'll make a donation to the BCP fund as penance.

There’s a PA-16 Clipper with 0-320 on BS for less than 80. Basically the same thing as a pacer but with Sticks instead of yokes. However if I had to choose between a Pacer, Clipper or Stinson all with the bigger engines, I’d go with a Stinson. Much more robust of an aircraft, and larger cabin area. The 108 on bushwheels….sexy!

I know the original posted said wheel ops only but it was a "for now". If floats are a future possibility this would drive more towards an airframe that uses "bolt up" fittings. I can't speak to all makes and models, most Pipers and similar allow for this. The required float kit and fittings for a Cessna or Stinson if not already installed is a significant undertaking.

Rob wrote:

Scolopax wrote:If he could be talked down to 80k - this would be a choice candidate: https://www.barnstormers.com/classified ... atid=16404

In fact, at that budget, I would be looking for a sedan with an upgraded engine in general. They are super well designed airplanes.

This.... and if he said no, I'd borrow the rest, eat top ramens for a minute and smile knowing I had an iconic airplane that truly fits perfectly between a supercub and a 180, and overlaps with both in many areas.

Take care, Rob

Affirmative! Value added as Lee does great work which is well known. He rebuilt a J-3 aileron for me back in the late 90's in Big Lake. Outstanding workmanship.

Known quality is worth the difference in price.

TR

This scout was just lowered to $75k, although the price here hasn’t updated- https://shadyaviation.com/ole-yeller

I’d recommend your friend jump on this before it’s gone. I owned it for three years, it’s a great plane although high hours. The first 14,000 or so of its life was spent in the Air Force towing gliders out of Colorado.

Freshly repainted. I’m not sure if they did fabric too. But it was a great plane.

twofingers wrote:This scout was just lowered to $75k, although the price here hasn’t updated- https://shadyaviation.com/ole-yeller

I’d recommend your friend jump on this before it’s gone. I owned it for three years, it’s a great plane although high hours. The first 14,000 or so of its life was spent in the Air Force towing gliders out of Colorado.

Freshly repainted. I’m not sure if they did fabric too. But it was a great plane.

WOW, that paint, great negotiating point for getting the price down!

twofingers wrote:This scout was just lowered to $75k, although the price here hasn’t updated- https://shadyaviation.com/ole-yeller

I’d recommend your friend jump on this before it’s gone. I owned it for three years, it’s a great plane although high hours. The first 14,000 or so of its life was spent in the Air Force towing gliders out of Colorado.

Freshly repainted. I’m not sure if they did fabric too. But it was a great plane.

A Scout at or below $75K is a good option any day !!