RivetBangers.com

Having been a frustrated P51 driver all my life and now reaching my 2nd childhood or what the fems might call "male menopause" I am seriously considering selling my C172 and attempting to build an RV=8. Can anyone give me a real world cost figure to build a utilitarian RV-8 with 180 engine, fixed prop and basic panel. This would probably include a trip to Georgia to get off on the right foot.
thanks Van

Go to www.vansaircraft.com They have a good cost estimator on their web site. You can see the effect of different engine, prop, lighting, avionics, etc combinations on the final cost. From, my experience, these estimates are very close to what you will spend.

Thank you,

Simple RV8, used O360, fixed prop, basic day VFR, no lighting, simple foam seats, no paint, maybe $40k. Will go like heck, be light and agile. The way Van likes 'em!

Brian

AFTER YOU BUILD IT YOU CAN PLACE IT IN TRADEAPLANE FOR 120K WITH THE OTHER OWNERS FROM LA-LA LAND!

Interesting statement allsmiles. Welcome to the group! Care to expound any on your thought here ?

-- John

SPIKE,
ONE ONLY HAS TO REVIEW THE ADDS PLACED IN TRADE A PLANE IN THE RV COLUMN TO SEE SOME BUILDERS ARE UNREALISTIC IN THE VALUE THEY PLACE ON THEIR LABOR. WE ALL KNOW VALUE CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE AVIONICS AND AGE/HOURS OF THE ENGINE ETC. WE ALSO KNOW PRICE CAN DEPEND ON THE NEED OF THE SELLER TO SELL THE PLANE. THERE IS A RANGE OF REALISM FOR THE PRICE AND MY POINT IS YOU DO NOT FIND VERY MUCH REALISM IN THE RV-8 /RV-7 PRICES. SUPPLY/DEMAND!

THIS USE TO BE THE SAME SITUATION WITH THE RV-4 AND 6, BUT MARKET REALISM (FINDING A BUYER) HAS WON OVER AND THE PRICES HAVE BECOME REALISTIC. IN SOME CASES A REAL BUY! WHEN I BUY I LOOK AT THE PLANE AND DISCOUNT THE SELLERS EGO! NOT EVERYONE CAN BE A RIVETBANGER!

I understand what you are saying and agree that sometimes aircraft pricing is definately above that which the market would bare. Where I disagree is that in my opinion the only person able to realisitcally value the labor that went into an aircraft is the builder of that aircraft. Someone who is selling an airplane that has built it knows what they have put into it and as such has a minimum value that they are willing to let that aircraft go for. You are correct that in many cases that price may be more than some are willing to pay. I dont think though that this invalidates an asking price or value, that is ultimately determined by the seller in his willingness to accept less. The true current value of a particular aircraft is determined by either the minimum price the owner is willing to accept or the maximum price a buyer is willing to pay. I do not think one aircrafts value is set by what other owners are willing to sell theirs for.

-- John

OK SPIKE, WE HAVE A MEETING OF THE MINDS. YOUR POINT WELL TAKEN; FOR EVERY SEAT THERE IS A REAREND! HAPPY NEW YEAR.

My friend's RV-8 with an O360, CS Prop, nice bought paint job, and a few electronic gee-gaws in the panel cost him all total just under $80,000. My RV-4 with no paint, O320, wood prop, and a few gee-gaws in the panel cost me $35,000 all total. Yours should be somewhere in between.

Yes, I think you could build a decent "8" for about 60,000 USD. Not including your labour.
Cheers, pete