Perhaps this was answered in another thread somewhere and I apologize in advance that I haven't read every syllable in the POA forum because I have a life, but Brian, Byron, Bryan, take your pick - why do you want another airplane?
Dad and I shared a plane. It was great. I could split costs and sleep well at night.
Then Dad upgraded to the SR22. Now I still split costs as though it were on the prior plane and it it barely a drop in the bucket.
Dad doesn't really care that much but I have trouble not keeping up my portion of the expenses.
That is the major overriding factor but there are 2 others.
1. I am a selfish control freak and I want my own plane with my name on the title and my face engraved on the only key.
It is just a goal. I have a goal of owning my own plane. Cost effectiveness is not important in this goal. None of my hobbies have been profitable.
2. The Cirrus is a fantastic machine that really just blows me away with all that it does. It does not really fit my mission though.
I am looking for something that will allow me to poke around in grass fields and throw easter eggs out at church picnics, and take pictures and do pattern work.
However, it also needs to have the ability to carry me, the wife and kids on little 2-3 hour hops.
Honestly a 172 would probably be perfect. But I like wings on bottom and easy egress (sorry Cherokee pilots).
The go to response would be "Get a 2 seater and use the Cirrus for family trips"
I suspect Dad will probably fly a couple more years and then decide when he retires that he is done.
He is not passionate about aviation, Just about using the plane to get to work and XC trips.
I am planning for the Cirrus to not be an option in the next couple years. I don't want to be trying to sell a 2 seater at that point so I can buy a 4 seater. I need ~800+ lbs useful load. I don't care about instruments. Comfort is more important than speed. The 4 of us currently weigh 410 lbs
So a Grumman, Musketeer, Sundowner, (maybe a socata Rallye. Those look cool) fit the bill.