The one thing to remember is that nothing is written in stone here, so look at what is on the page here and feel free to make
an offer. I am of the school of thought that says that it never hurts to ask, so I won't be offended by ridculously low offers
(or at least what I think are ridiuculously low offers). I will however, politely decline those. But a reasoned well
thought out offer? Like I said, you never know until you ask.
Let's start with a basic valuation. Below is a VRef valuation done on November 23, 2006 for a stock Comanche with the Vref
adjustments for engine time and additional avionics. It does not include any of the airframe modifications. Because
of their extensive nature (over $50,000 worth), I decided to calculate them as separate line items (further down the page),
rather than just lump them all into a single dollar amount (which is all Vref lets you do for this sort of thing).
Trade-in value will be considerably less due to dealer marketing costs, margins and inventory expenses. Price assumes
complete logs, no damage, and all inspections complied.
Model
Base Retail
Serial No.
24-250
$52,500.00
1477-2298
Airframe Total Time and Engine Time Since Major Overhaul:
Note: Numbers in parenthesis are negative values.
AFTT:
5300. Effect on valuation=($1,014.49) at $1.27/hour.
SMOH Engine #1:
400. Effect on valuation=$5,500.00 at $11.00/hour.
Here are the major airframe modifications. The prices and approximate install times come directly from the OEM where possible
(follow the OEM links on the main page). Costs are calculated at $60/hr labor. Some prices have been approximated as some
OEM's do not publish current prices. I have noted those as such with the approximation symbol (~).
Airframe Modification
Price
Install Time
Cost
Flap, Aileron and Flap/Fuselage Gap seals
$ 750.00
14 hrs
$1590.00
Wing Root Fairings
295.00
3.5 hrs
505.00
Wing Fillets
145.00
4 hrs
385.00
Wind Shield Cowler
295.00
4 hrs
535.00
Arapaho Windshield
1255.00
26 hrs
2815.00
Arapaho Dorsal Fin
1395.00
10 hrs
1995.00
Precise Flight Speed Brakes
3995.00
30 hrs
5795.00
Webco Upper Door Latch Kit
214.00
9 hrs
554.00
Speed spats
~500.00
~6 hrs
~4100.00
Tail Mass Balance Kit
~1500.00
~16 hrs
~2460.00
Osborne Tip Tanks
~5000.00
Kosola Seat Belts
~1200.00
LoPresti Wholley Cowl
~27500.00
Airframe Modification Totals:
$54,434.00
Of course these are just the major airframe modifications. Other niceties that have modernized this Comanche, things like
the alternator conversion, Bogart battery box and copper cables, cabin sound proofing, Whelan wingtip and tail strobes, and
the ram horn yokes are not included.
Anyway, add it up:
VRef Value:
$70,985.00
Airframe modifications:
$54,434.00
Total valuation:
$125,419.00
My asking price:
$105,000.00
The bottom line: its a lot of plane and a pretty good deal.
