Turbo Arrow IV or Mooney 231

M

meritflyer

Well-Known Member
Meritflyer is in the market for an airplane!

I was pretty set on picking up a Piper Turbo Arrow IV however, today a good friend of mine who is also an A&P seemed to have some really critical things to say about the late Turbo Arrow products.

He suggested that Mooney aircraft made in the same era ('80-'85) are a far superior product, specifically the 231. All in all, I thought I would bring it to the JC crowd for a fair take on the two planes. They're both comparably priced and equipped so, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the two.

Cheers.
 
meritflyer said:
Meritflyer is in the market for an airplane!

I was pretty set on picking up a Piper Turbo Arrow IV however, today a good friend of mine who is also an A&P seemed to have some really critical things to say about the late Turbo Arrow products.

He suggested that Mooney aircraft made in the same era ('80-'85) are a far superior product, specifically the 231. All in all, I thought I would bring it to the JC crowd for a fair take on the two planes. They're both comparably priced and equipped so, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on the two.

Cheers.
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M20J's are pretty nice and plenty of them on the market. I would look at those. Excellent fuel burn to the performance.

Sorry couldn't be any help at all. :D
 
What is wrong with a Cessna 195? Reasonably fast and efficient for the money. Carry a load. Comfortable (as in, not cramped). They generally attract a crowd better than a 231 or an Arrow. Generally get treated better at the FBO's as well.

C19520N195WB.jpg
 
I'd go with the Mooney. Never flown either one, but I've worked on a Turbo Arrow and some Mooneys and I'd say the Mooney seems to be the more durable product.
 
I've got 300 Mooney (I'm a former Mooney owner) hours and a few hundred arrow hours. The Mooney wins hands down.

If your serious about one then call Ray again, we have a J model for sale that is wearing new paint, new interior, and a new engine outfitted with a 430.

Another good person to talk to is Don Maxwell. There is no one on the planet, save Al Mooney himself, who knows more about them.
 
The Rocket is a nice plane for sure! Its fast, it will fly circles around the arrow. I like piper stuff too, but it really depends on your mission.

The 201J model was mentioned too. Probably my favorite. The last 4 cyl. where else can you get 160kts on 10gph (not including the experimentals)? The 231 rocket with a 6cyl will get you more speed, but obviously with a higher fuel burn.

Short answer...Mooney!
 
Jbroz04 said:
what kind of hangar? 350 a month is more than twice what a t-hangar around here goes for!
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the kind that is the first one to open up in the last two years

(and it has not officially opened up, I'm the only one to know about it so far)

Don't get me wrong, its rape, but the other option is the ramp.
 
If you aren't going to do a lot of long distance flying I would recommed a 201(M20J). You will probably go through set of cylinders and probably one turbo in between overhauls with a stock TSIO 360 LB. I would definitely recommend GAMI injectors and other engine mods(intercooling, merlin waste gate etc) to help prolong the life of your engine. The GAMI's help a ton reducing heat and they get the fuel burn way down there for the speed you are getting. They are rare now days but avoid 231's with the 'GB' motor. completely unreliable and Mooney/Continental switched to the LB. The only way they have them still is if it is the original engine.

The airframe of the M20K is one of the most stout airframes out there with its solid spar. A few of the issues are the wet wing having its seals go bad(and they will) and having the repair done by some one who knows what they are doing. The rubber "pucks" shock absorbers can go bad as well. The nose wheel can be damaged if not towed properly so have that checked in a pre buy.

I could go on and on about how the mooney is better, more comfortable, faster etc. Feel free to ask questions we have 30 years on ours and 4000+ hours on it.
 
mooneyguy said:
The Rocket is a nice plane for sure! Its fast, it will fly circles around the arrow. I like piper stuff too, but it really depends on your mission.

The 201J model was mentioned too. Probably my favorite. The last 4 cyl. where else can you get 160kts on 10gph (not including the experimentals)? The 231 rocket with a 6cyl will get you more speed, but obviously with a higher fuel burn.

Short answer...Mooney!
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M20J and the 231 and the rocket are 3 different planes.

M20J(201) has the Lycoming IO 360 A1A 200 hp
M20K(231) has the Continental TSIO 360 LB 210 hp
M20K(252) has the Continental TSIO 360 MB 210hp(intercooled&28v)

The "305 Rocket" is an STC where a Cessna 340 motor and prop are put on a M20K(231 or 252)

With GAMI injectors expect 11.5-12 GPH with a 231. About a gallon more with out.
 
Good advice here so far. I worked for a Mooney dealer and flight school when I was in college. I have over 600 hours in the 201/231/252 plus a few in Arrows. I would go for a Mooney over the Arrow as well. Unless you're going to be operating in high/hot environments the 201 makes more sense than the 231. The Lycoming in the 201 will easily last 2000 hours while the 231's Continental is lucky to get to 1600. Plus you burn more gas in the the 231 for not that much more speed.

I think I mentioned Top Gun Aviation in the thread you started on getting a pre-buy inspection. If you find an airplane out west they are the people to take it to. The guy who started it was the chief mechanic at the place I worked. He's probably retired, but they were THE Mooney experts on the west coast. Anybody who wanted quality maintenance done came to Performance Aircraft when Tom was there. He had a group of 5 guys who were all excellent mechanics. It's rare to find a large group of quality mechanics like that anywhere. I would suspect the same group migrated to Top Gun when he moved over to Stockton.



Typhoonpilot
 
If you're looking for cruise speed, you don't need a turbo Mooney. The J model (normally aspirated) is faster than a turbo Arrow. You only need a turbo if you have to go high. The old TSIO-360s are not known for their durability. Many guys rag them out with 1000 hours on them. They can be flown to make it to TBO (lean of peak, proper power management out of altitude, etc) but if you're buying used, who knows who the last guy flew it?

You might even look at a slightly older Mooney. The E and F models are nearly as fast as the J even though they're not as good looking.
 
The mooney might be a little too fast for you ;). Too much for an airplane for such a man :)

ps... its one sexy bird though and a hell of a ride...
 
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