5 Airplanes You Can Buy For The Price Of A Car

When we think of airplane ownership, specifically small single engine piston engine airplanes. The general consensus is that owning an airplane is only reserved for the rich. Well I hate to break to ya. Actually just about anyone with a good job can afford to own an airplane. If you can afford a brand new Toyota Camry, chances are you can afford to own a single engine airplane.

All of the airplanes shared in this video are certified, cessna, piper, beechcraft, and Grumman. Consider these airplanes old and rugged. They are rugged and very reliable aircrafts. The fact that they’ve already made it through several decades and still flyable is amazing.

Here are the 5 airplanes listed

Piper Tomahawk - A great 2 seater personal trainer that's easy and affordable to operate. The piper tomahawk is great for flight training and time building
Capacity: 2 People
Engine: Lycoming 112 HP
Range: 500 Miles
Speed: 110 mph
Price: $20k - $30k

Cessna 172 - When you think of the godfather of general aviation aircrafts, think of the cessna 172. One of the oldest modeled airplane still being produced in the US today. The 172 have certainly earned it’s stripes in aviation over that last few decades. A great reliable and safe airplane, but with more speed, range and better useful load than the cessna 150. Cessna 172 remains one of the most utilized training aircraft till today.
Engine: Lycoming 160 hp
Capacity: 4 People
Range: 500 - 600 miles
Fuel capacity: 50 gallons
Fuel burn: 9 gph
Cruise speed: 120 mph
Price: $30k - $60k

Grumman Traveler - Grumman traveler is the 4 seater version of Grumman yankee. A very good beginner aircraft with low operational cost. Also great from time building. Grumman is a vintage aircraft still flying today. The best thing about the Grumman is not only its handling characteristics but the price. A used Grumman can be bought in today’s market for as little as $26,000. The late 60s models with a nice six pack avionics panel. Low purchase price also translate into low maintenance cost for this airplane.
Capacity: 4 People
Engine: Lycoming 150 HP
Range: 500 Miles
Speed: 120 mph
Price: $30k

Beechcraft Sundowner - The Beechcraft Sundowner is not a plane you hear much about. It’s an older 4 seater, true crosscountry aircraft that perhaps have been sideswiped by its bigger competitors, namely the piper cherokee/arrows and Cessna 172.
But this aircraft is legitimately one of the better planes to fly for new pilots. Whether you’re just a beginning, training for your next ticket or just need an airplane to build time, you need not look any further.
Engine: 180HP Lycoming
Useful load: 948 pounds
Baggage capacity: 270 pounds
Fuel capacity: 58 gallons
Cruise speed: 120 mph
Fuel burn: 11 - 12 gallons per hour
Range: up to 700 miles
Price: $30k - $50k

Cessna 150: The cessna 150 is what you consider your modern day light sport aircraft. Except the model is about 50 years old. And unlike modern light airplanes, cessna 150s are fully certified aircrafts. Both for VFR and IFR flying if fully equipped. The best thing about this airplane is the low entry cost and low cost of maintenance. Also the cessna 150 is one of the most forgiving airplanes in General aviation. Very reliable and slow to fly. Great airplane to learn and build some time for new pilots.
Capacity: 2 People
Engine: Lycoming 112 HP
Range: 400 Miles
Speed: 100 mph
Price: $20k - $30k

[simonschafshund]

The problem is they often need a complete restauration. And that costs a lot.

[jeffherndon]

Cessna 150, great time builder, because it’s the slowest plane you can buy so it will take you the longest time to get there. 🤪

[johnvanderlip]

Some older planes worth considering: Stinson 108, Cessna 120/140, Piper Tripacer or Pacer. I picked up a Stinson 108 a few month’s ago, freshly recovered fabric aircraft, low time engine, 900 lb useful load, 4 seats, cruises at 100 knots.

[shaunkruger]

I managed to pick up a Cherokee 180 for under $40k last year, but once it got modern radios and ADSB in and out it broke out well past that threshold. 😆

[tantanph]

I like this kind of video this is why I subsribed to you MojoGrip.

[CASIO]

I love these style videos! Especially the twin engine birds!

[Bossstyles]

Preciate the video MOJO! We know that prices are unpredictable right now, but keep these videos coming. The more ideas 💡 the better!

[RobinReedCoach]

Thanks for the great video. I'm just beginning my flight journey on my way to commercial. Buying my own plane certainly feels like the way to go.

[jamestrigger]

Thanks for the info Mike. Great video.

[alexandrospirillis]

Mike, you are one of the coolest guys I know of. Nice video!

[exosoul]

Crazy to see how much these planes have gone up in price from last year. I was in the market for a 4 seater to finish my training but decided to hold up for now. Really digging the sundowner, but might have to taken a look at that traveler. Currently train on a warrior ii and would like to stay with a low wing. But, need to see where the market will be doing this year

[GDOGzGroUNdEd]

Hearing these prices makes me cry inside lol. My school just bought a '78 172 for $120, 000. Inflation in this market has been insane.

[wpkvprc]

Thanks for all the vid, s & tip, s

[nickrusso]

Great videos! Can you do a video on top planes (for the price) with modern, glass cockpit avionics like the G1000? I'm looking to purchase my first plane in the next year.

[DCGULL]

Please, reconsider the Grumman Traveler- there is a serious risk of bird strikes... from behind!!! Hahaha

[MulveysMooney]

Hey Mike! Can you do a light sport category version of this series? I am currently training in Evektor Sportstars which are a great plane and they are available used in the 40 to 50 range some with parachutes as well. The Tecnam 2002 is an awesome plane as well.

[markreeves]

Student pilot here. Love your channel!! I’m 25 hours in and training in the Beechcraft Musketeer (B23)…. I’m guessing it’s an earlier variant of the Sundowner. Again, love your channel and thanks for all the education and info! Cheers! -Mark from GA

[MrBulletman]

Cessna 172 that needs little work are now over the $40, 000 mark. The Sundowners have followed suit and are now in the 40 plus range. If you are looking for a descent 4 seat that makes the 40 thousand dollar mark would be the Sundowners little brother, the Beechcraft Musketeer. 160HP 4 seater that is a great flyer.

[scottmckee]

Do you sale these type of aircraft? Congrats on your new business btw! Love the videos

[bughnatt]

I really like these videos, but I know it's challenging to make a cost statement right now. I'm seeing 172's (non-scrap) listed for over $100k. Combined with the current agenda to get rid of 100LL (because 'environment'), it is a steeper uphill battle to get back into flying every day. I hope better times will come soon...