Values Of The Taylorcraft

[Jim Herpst]

Anyone been following the Values of Taylorcrafts VS the rest of the very light market over the past couple of years? Holding up well over all in what is a decided declining market overall. Not sure where the bottom is however we have not yet found it . I see decent (not perfect but decent) Taylorcrafts sitting and sitting with continuous price drops. As normal the bulk out there are a little rough- nothing new there though..... I do see projects in the 5000 range which if complete about right..... add 25K or more to this and you have a 21K plane...nothing new there either!! Ah still the little plane with a big heart soldiers on !!!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Big difference between value and price! A GOOD T is always more of a value than it costs (selling price, not asking). I have been told my 41 is worth about $20 to 25K, but would be almost impossible to sell for that. To ME, she is worth well over that and I wouldn't even consider selling her for $50K!!! NO ONE is ever going to offer me THAT much, so I guess she is part of my estate. ;-)
I bought my 41 for $12K and thought I got a deal (the seller REALLY thought I got a deal!) I spent over a decade getting her the way I want her, but I really enjoy working on her (even more than flying her). Get the BEST plane you can with the money you have. The sellers labor is almost always free. Yours should include the wear and tear on YOU plus all the Dr bills, which you WILL NOT ever recover when you sell. You probably will not even recover the cost of parts you put in, but it will still be worth it.

Hank

Kind of like your dog. NO ONE would ever pay what she is worth to you. Get the dog you want and raise her to be YOURS. You will never be sorry till the day you don't have her any more.

[waltermrich]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Well said Hank , and for those of us that realize that, they maintain there value to us flying and maintaining them, It keeps us interested a seasoned bunch.

[Guest]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

argh...

Bad subject IMHO, well bad conclusion I should have said.

I sold my 1946 BC12d about two months ago. 300 SMOH, A65, metal prop, skylights, big rear windows, 1998 ceconite, 24 gallons fuel, ELT, outside antenna, sealed struts, strut fitting AD complied, recent airtex seats, 1280 GW... included some spare brake and mag parts plus others, nice plane

I started at $17,300 as I recall and ended up selling for $13,300.

One of my friends predicted I would get $11k.

I did notice that there were other Taylorcrafts (many very nice ones) for sale at the time and their prices were being reduced and they had been for sale for a long time and were still for sale.

I am not sure why the market is dropping other than "basic med" or aging pilot population.

Dave R

[PA1195]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

I agree with their unrecognized value and utility...Hank's dog analogy is true and dear to us in many ways.

I think the problem is also due to the current popularity of Pipers and their support groups. Sales are steady and values maintained, and for some like the J-3, Super Cub/PA-12, are increasing as demand exceeds supply. Given that competition for flying and dollars the Taylorcraft sits while the Pipers fly away with new owners. Not sure about older Champs but newer Citabrias are also sought after.

Plus as noted restoring a Taylorcraft is not a commercial success for some if that's their profession. And for new owners cost recovery beyond a certain price point is difficult.

Gary

[SteveR]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

You guys make me feel like I'm really overpaying at $29k for a nice L-2M. The plane has 9 year old fabric, and in reality is in 8.5/10 condition, but it does have an A-65. Is $29k too much? The owner of course is standing firm on that number...he said he thinks its worth $32.5k.

I know the value of anything is only what someone is willing to pay. I'm willing to pay $29k for this plane, but is anyone else? I don't want to take a $10k hit in 10 years. I intend to put an O-200 in it...then I'll have about $34k in it, but with a new O-200 and a plane that is close to show condition. I don't mind losing a few thousand over 10 years, but don't want to overpay by $10k.

[Guest]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

You guys make me feel like I'm really overpaying at $29k for a nice L-2M. The plane has 9 year old fabric, and in reality is in 8.5/10 condition, but it does have an A-65. Is $29k too much? The owner of course is standing firm on that number...he said he thinks its worth $32.5k.

I know the value of anything is only what someone is willing to pay. I'm willing to pay $29k for this plane, but is anyone else? I don't want to take a $10k hit in 10 years. I intend to put an O-200 in it...then I'll have about $34k in it, but with a new O-200 and a plane that is close to show condition. I don't mind losing a few thousand over 10 years, but don't want to overpay by $10k.

I believe that I told you that I would buy the Champ.

However if the L2 is worth that to you then buy it because as you said "the value of anything is only what someone is willing to pay".

Can you re-sell it for the same money? Apparently you already have a feeling about that answer.

Perhaps you want to do some research into what other L2's have sold for recently?

Dave R

[3Dreaming]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

You guys make me feel like I'm really overpaying at $29k for a nice L-2M. The plane has 9 year old fabric, and in reality is in 8.5/10 condition, but it does have an A-65. Is $29k too much? The owner of course is standing firm on that number...he said he thinks its worth $32.5k.

I know the value of anything is only what someone is willing to pay. I'm willing to pay $29k for this plane, but is anyone else? I don't want to take a $10k hit in 10 years. I intend to put an O-200 in it...then I'll have about $34k in it, but with a new O-200 and a plane that is close to show condition. I don't mind losing a few thousand over 10 years, but don't want to overpay by $10k.

While the L2 is a Taylorcraft, it is in a different boat compared to the side by side brethren. It is considerably more rare, and has added value because it is a warbird.

[Bigdog]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

You guys make me feel like I'm really overpaying at $29k for a nice L-2M. The plane has 9 year old fabric, and in reality is in 8.5/10 condition, but it does have an A-65. Is $29k too much? The owner of course is standing firm on that number...he said he thinks its worth $32.5k.

I know the value of anything is only what someone is willing to pay. I'm willing to pay $29k for this plane, but is anyone else? I don't want to take a $10k hit in 10 years. I intend to put an O-200 in it...then I'll have about $34k in it, but with a new O-200 and a plane that is close to show condition. I don't mind losing a few thousand over 10 years, but don't want to overpay by $10k.

L-2's are a different animal. Top notch, fresh restorations can go to almost $40K. $29k for a good L-2M sounds like a deal. If you pass on it, let me know where it is.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Agree completely about the L-2. Totally different rules of value. It is like the Piper J-3, a plane that I consider inferior to the BC-12 in EVERY way except for downward view to the right from the pilots seat. It has, like many planes, a "Cult following" plane. It's value is inflated just because everyone else thinks it is worth more. That is also true of the L-2 (except I think the L-2 is better than the L-4). You will get more back from the L-2 than a BC-12, just like you will pay more now. If it is what YOU WANT, then it is worth what you will pay. I don't see the asking price as that bad if it is in good condition.

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

The L-2's must be warm climate birds as I've never seen one in my 52 years Alaska. They exist here I realize but are not that popular or rather avoid our climate for some reason. Maybe it's the lack of floats or skis and heat in winter? I've read about them and they appear to be a fun plane to own and fly.

As far as expense...what price is happiness and the reward of flying something a pilot enjoys?

Gary

[M Towsley]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Gary,

L-2's are just rare, I loved mine while I had it. It was an L-2B, of which only 490 were built. The 'M's were more prevalent, but still nothing like the BC-12D. Stick and rudder bird with great visibility. Maybe you guys are just cheap up there, lol. Mine was $40K so not sure how many want to stick one on skis or floats, plus, floats would be incorrect for that bird. The heater worked better because both of your feet got warm rather than just the right foot.

I do have a picture of my mother around age 18, (she will be 91 next month), acting as though she is hand-propping one on skis at a nearby, now defunct, airport. Both my mom and dad flew pre-wars in the mid-40's. This particular L-2 was based at the airport for CPTP training, I believe.

[M Towsley]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Steve R, the problem with most L-2's is they are painted in schemes nowhere near what would be correct for them. Invasion stripes and other incorrect markings and nomenclatures painted on. These planes are valuable warbirds and people treat you a little different at fly-ins and airshows. Take some pictures or post some and let some of us take a look at it for any glaring issues. Mine was a fairly correct L-2B, but had its minor issues I worked on while I had it. I only got rid of it because my wife got tired of looking at the back of my head and preferred flying next to me. It was also an A-65-powered plane. Make sure it is not over-propped like mine was. A buddy's L-2M with an 85 climbs better than my BC-12D but I walk away from him in level flight with a 65. The L-2 is not as fast as the BC-12D, with the bungees hanging in the breeze and the wing cut-outs it is a little draggier than the side-by-side. But if you are in hurry flying a Taylorcraft you are in the wrong plane.

One other thing, these planes were built during the war when metal was at a premium so they have wood wings. My L-2 had been updated with metal leading and trailing edges when rebuilt. Make sure someone with knowledge takes a good look at her.

[PA1195]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Good info Marty and all. Here's one that made trip north in 2005: http://www.alaskaairmuseum.org/explo...ylorcraft-l-2/ and http://wy2.org/flightline/taylorcraft-l2.php

One for sale needs restoration: http://alaskaslist.com/-3/posts/10_T...n_Project.html

Not that we're not cheap but it has to work ok and endure the outdoors. I'm sure they're loved by many, just never came across one.

Gary

[Guest]

Re: Values Of The Taylorcraft

Is a DCO or DCO 65 the same plane as an L2?