So I'm sitting there last night watching my new copy of BRLP Alaskan Adventure and thinking to myself, "I wonder what a Maule would run me?".

I had listened to everyone's advice about Stinsons and was really impressed at the overall positive feedback I had received on that airplane. I've been doing my homework lately and have seen well maintained Super Stinsons sitting at around the 45k mark.

I started pricing some Maules on barnstormers and when you start comparing them to the price of a "Super Stinson 108", they aren't all that far off from eachother. Here's the thing too, that Stinson is 50+ years old and the Maule might only be 15 or 20 yrs old.

Maybe I'm just a newbie and completely missing the obvious, but what would be the advantages of that Stinson over a newer Maule? Am I comparing the low end of Maules to the high end of Stinsons maybe?

Hi Tick,

I can give you a little information. I bought a 1980 Maule M5-180C (IFR equipped) about three years ago for $62K. I looked around quite a bit before making my decision. I found Maules for $15 to $20K less but they required a fair amount of work to get them up to where my standards were. The good ones seemed to start around $60 to $80K.

Right now it is a buyers market. The 235's are real performers and are a bargain but you have to deal with fuel consumption. The 180's (like I have) perform well (not as good as a 235 but good) and burn 7.5 to 8.0 gph but they are in demand and tough to find right now. (Most Maules are 235's)

Of course you have to deal with insurance.

My friend has a Stinson and they are indeed great flyers. I prefer the Maule not because I think they are better planes but because of convenience. With that fourth door and removable rear seat you can load them like a pick up truck and just as easily. Then there is the question of parts availability. Maules are still in production and parts are generally much cheaper than comparable planes. The Maule simply matches my mission most of the time. Having said all that, no argument, the Stinson is certainly a great plane.

Hope that adds to your confusion!

Tick,

I have a creampuff M-4 220C IFR 1775 TTAF & 705 SMOH For Sale in the Seattle area priced at $50K. Contact me for specs & pic's
[email protected]

m4220

That's perfect and about what I figured. You can always find that "great bargain" airplane for much less than what you should be paying.

Does the 60k mark also apply to the older Maule's? Are they worth looking into or will I be finding only the beaters?

That $60K mark is just a "generally speaking" point. Like I said, bargains are to be had!

Any good links to learn about Maules?

Tick wrote:Any good links to learn about Maules?

Probably right here. Many Maule owners on this site.

Bob

Pick the Links tab up top and select MaulePilots.org. I would be happy to lie...I mean... answer any questions that I can.

http://maulepilots.org/forums/index.php ... 37ebf73315

http://www.mauleairinc.com/

http://www.maules.com/

http://www.mauleflight.com/

http://www.maulemods.com/index.html

Enjoy!
Bill

Tick, I also fly a Maule. The only bad thing I can say is insurance sucks. Mine has the 235 B4B5 low compression. I burn 12.6 gph at 8500 msl 150 TAS 20 GPH full power climb. That is burning 87 mogas no ethanol. I have the STC for mogas.

Cheers...Rob

That's a great looking picture!

I've had a lot of luck researching on Maule Mods site. Good stuff. I'll keep reading.

Anything to really watch out for on the older Maules?

Here is my M5



If the plane has a constant speed prop, then make sure the AD from two years ago has been complied with. There is currently an AD to have the connections to the elevator horn painted to indicate correct position.

Other than that, Maule exhaust system joints get a lot of stress so the welds should be checked for cracks. That is what I can think of at the moment. I am sure others will have hints.

vaughans wrote:...I have a creampuff M-4 220C IFR 1775 TTAF & 705 SMOH For Sale in the Seattle area priced at $50K. Contact me for specs & pic's.........

If that's the yellow Maule outa the Egg Ranch that I've seen around the Puget Sound area for several years, it's a beauty.

Eric

Thanks Eric, it is the yellow maule from the Egg Ranch. I just finished restoration on a 1969 M-4 220C that I spent 3 years re doing and now I don't need them both so Ole Yeller is up for sale. It is a great airplane with 220hp & constant speed prop and a fuel burn of about 10gph.

Vaughans

Tick, don't know how much help this'll be, 'cause my Maule is a tri-gear ... MXT-7-180. I bought it about 7 mos. ago for a fair amount less than 40K, which I thought was a super deal. At that time, the TTAE was 1850, or 150 hrs. short of TBO. I have the constant speed prop, and although I'm mostly single pilot at lower altitudes, I've been pleased with climb performance. I'm burning about 8gph at 23/2300, which gives a cruise of about 110 kts. Fortunately, I have an autogas STC, so after 15 yrs. of a Cessna twin that burned avgas at 30gph, this plane is a dream. I looked at Stinsons really hard and ended up deciding that I preferred the Maule. Then looked hard for a tailwheel Maule and almost bought a MX7-235, but stalled out over price. When the tri-gear 180 came up, it was too good to pass up, but I regretted it having the little wheel on the "wrong" end. After seeing what this plane will do, I'm happy with the gear. I'm taking 'er out west in September to fly/camp through NM, AZ, UT, CO. I have a lot to learn about Maules, but consider me one of the true believers. Good luck with your choice.

How about a Maule M-5-180-C,

Tick....man just buy a Maule! I am taking one to it's new owner. 180 H.P. with the V.G.s on the wing...unbelievable performance and stability.

Today while test flying .... I tried to stall it, power off....just wouldn't happen. Sat there at 40 indicated.... stick in my stomach and just mushed down at 500 fpm. It was steady and stable...neither wing dropped.

At 45 indicated, full flaps and about 75% power I was manuevering at 45 degree banks with good control authority. Just me and 66 gallons of fuel at 3,000 m.s.l., but still impressive. This is the first one that I have flown with V.G.s. It will fly 7 or 8 knots slower than my M-5 with out V.Gs. Did I say that I am inpressed?

I't is a 1986 with a high time engine...1,900 hours: but had a complete top overhaul(all new stuff including pistons) at 1,700 hours.

Without revealing the price...just let me say that it was well below your stated budget!

Good hunting,

Bob

How come no one is talking about the M5-210?

Tick, my last airplane was the M5-210 and my current airplane is a M4-210 and the performance is considerably better than the 180hp maules and uses only 10 gallons per hour. And there are several in your price range.

Bob was correct about the VG's on the wings.

Good hunting, mauleCFI

mauleCFI wrote:How come no one is talking about the M5-210?

Tick, my last airplane was the M5-210 and my current airplane is a M4-210 and the performance is considerably better than the 180hp maules and uses only 10 gallons per hour. And there are several in your price range.

Bob was correct about the VG's on the wings.

Good hunting, mauleCFI

Haha...

....I thought that I should stop bragging about my 210-C. What a sweet performer! Wish that I had those VGs though!!

Bob

I have 1995 Maule MX7-180A for sale. Second local owner (Florida), 530 TTSN, NDH, VG's , LRT (73 gal), hangered, VFR, Scott TW, nice condition, fine wire plugs, quick change oil, K&N filter, fuel computer, $64,995. Phil 941-708-9420

I owned a C-140 that I put at least $25 into restoring and it was nice when it was done. I wanted to trade up to 4 seats and more horse power. My thinking was a fully restored C-170B. When I started comparing prices of fully restored C-170B's vs Maules which were only a few years old it was a no brainer. I have owned (partnership) of a 1995 MX-180A for about 6 years. We purchased it in 2002 with about 550 hours and always hangered for about $72k. This aircraft has been almost maintenance free and such a joy. I am very pleased that I did not purchase the 170. Old planes, while classic, come with many problems as well.