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Why are C150s (and other trainers/entry level planes) suddenly so expensive??

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JayKoit

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2013
Messages
116
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Back in 2014, I bought a 1972 C150L with a mid time engine, upgraded avionics, and recent interior in Southern California for $17,500. During my time shopping, I looked at several in comparable condition, all under $20K. There were also plenty of Cherokee 140/160s going for 23-25K.

Fast forward 7 years, and now when I pull up Barnstormers and Trade-a-Plane, a decent C150 is at least $28-30K, and the nicer ones are over $50K! (a 150L nearly identical to mine just sold for 34K, double what I paid). And Cherokee 140's are crazy too - run out models are $35K, buy and fly looks to be at least 40-45K, almost double the cost from only seven years ago...

To what do we owe this? I'm surprised, between aviation insurance being more difficult, the pandemic, etc. I figured the cost of GA planes would dip instead of skyrocket. Is there really a supply and demand issue going on here? Or is it a bubble? Just curious...
 
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