Kitfox IV offer - ask for advice

[Thommy]

Hello everybody
I am new to this forum and quite new in the topic of kitfoxes at all …


My history of flying: I started in the end 90s as a hang-glider pilot, after a while I added paragliding also powered paragliding and ended two years ago with the PPL license (here EU-LAPL(A)). So we went to the next airfield (me and a friend) and we bought a PA28-160 from 1962 …
But the flying in a PA28 is not that what I wanted to do, sitting in a big piece of metal like an airline pilot …


So why I am writing this is to ask for some advice.
I god a Kitfox IV offered, which has been in the air for only 25 hours, the age is about 6 years. The power plant is an interesting Nissan MA12 engine with 1.2 liter and 65hp.



Looks ok, but not brand new, of course, need minor work before flying.
I would like to buy this kitfox, but I am a stupid beginner in terms of kitfoxes.
What do you think is a common marked price for such a baby? Here in Germany prices vary quite a lot and comparing with Avid or Eurofox are difficult.


What is the most important thing I have to look at?
Are there obvious things to look at to see “bad handling history”?



I know it is difficult to judge a plane or give advice through the internet, but I thought I would try it here in this forum.
Thank you, any comment is welcome, and sorry for my poor English.



Greetings
Thommy

[Av8r3400]

That plane with that engine will be very heavy and underpowered. I would advise to keep looking.

Just my opinion.

[rosslr]

Larry, I assume that being heavy, it would also push the CG forward and affect trim?

r

[avidflyer]

If it's only flown for 25 hrs in 6 years, there probably is a good reason for the lack of flying time on the plane. Maybe the seller realizes this, and will let it go at a reasonable enough price where you could re-engine the plane so it would be a better airplane. If you want a Kitfox aircraft, I would guess the supply of them in Europe is rather limited, and you may not have as many options as someone over here in the USA. Jim Chuk

[Thommy]

Thank you for all the information

if I consider to change the engine would the "pure" frame be worth 23000$?
I could fly with this engine and maybe change later …
Are there any “weak” spots I have to take a closer look? Can a frame, control-cables etc. or the fabric become “old” over 6 years? Or is it rather a “new” plane? I have seen several from the early nighties with prices around 15k$ to 20k$

Greetings
Thommy

[avidflyer]

If you figure the engine is worthless, then $23,000 it pretty expensive for the rest of the plane. I don't have any idea of the price of Kitfoxes in Europe though. I'm referring to the US market where there are a lot more of them available. A 6 year old Kitfox is pretty new, but then so much will also depend on how good of a job the builder did on the plane. Jim Chuk