For me the Baron is the answer. Radar and 2 engines win. I made the exact choice and bought a 58. That said, at age 69, depending on your horizon, insurnace may drive you to the 22.

I played the Seneca II vs. everything else about 10 years ago. I had the Seneca II, turbocharged twin, lots of useful load and space for people and things and FIKI on top of all of that.

I came to the conclusion to sell the PA34-200T and get the Columbia 400.

I didn't need the useful load as I wasn't really using that much of it.

I didn't need the seats/cargo space, though it was convenient for carrying just about anything, especially the big double rear door.

I wasn't really using the FIKI. I did when I first got it, but over time, I felt it safer and easier on my stress level to just wait icing out and not fly in it.

Then there was the hangar situation. Best I could get/afford was a shelter for the twin. A box hangar would have been great, but they are hard to get, and if one did make the many-years long wait list, box hangars are quite expensive.

So I sold and got the Columbia 400. Much faster, lower fuel burn, easier maintenance. Less space, but plenty for our actual needs, useful load a lot less, but again, more than enough for my actual needs.

The one thing I actually gave up is night-cross-country flying. I would do that in the twin, but I skip it in the single.

If you truly need the load and volume, then a twin is great. If you're a fate-is-the-hunter weather flyer, then the twin and get FIKI.

Do you already fly the animal rescue flights?

I have the same difficult time getting in and out of the front seats of a Cirrus that I have with a Baron. I feel your pain. The SR-22 is a bit easier than the SR-20 and I wish the SR-22 doors opened just a few inches more. It also has better A/C!

A friend's wife flies in a Commanche 250 and is a wheelchair user. The wing seems a few inches lower than the SR-22 and it seems easier for her.

The LVL button will also fly you right over IAD and into the DC TFR! We have 121.5 on Comm 2 and monitor it for meows around the SFRA. It will be 4 more years clear of cancer and a Special Issuance before she and the kids can fly with just me in the 22. The boys have ADHD and discontinued lessons and don't even want to fly gliders or balloons. ...kind of sad...

Honestly, it may just be me doing flight reviews and flying LSAs as I don't want to chance the SI being denied and being grounded from LSA, Glider, Ballons, and maybe even (allegedly) UAS. However, when MOSAIC hits, I will likely buy an SR-20 or SR-22 if they want to fly with me. I would love another TravelAir, Baron, or to try out a Tecnam P2006T.
...it will just depend on the regs that come with MOSAIC.

Thanks to all of you for responding. A lot of great thoughts and comments. I especially liked the “Fate is the Hunter” comment. I had a LearJet check airman who all but did the burning matches under the nose thing. His “technique” in a simulated emergency checkride was an in-my-face rapid staccato of “what are you going to do, what are you going to do…” I pretty much have finished that era after six years part 135 medevac/life flight in the Northwestern US. Another experience which shaped me was the 75 or so pacific crossings to/from Hawaii from the west coast in a Lear 36. That’s got “twin engine” engrained in me.
To answer one of the questions, no, I have never done angel flights nor animal rescue flights.
At present, I’m leaning Baron but will hopefully do some Cirrus training at their Phoenix facility soon to possibly break my Baron fixation.
Thanks again!

Went through this exact analysis in late 2015-2016.
Took demo flights in both aircraft.

While my perspective is 9 years old, not sure that much has changed.

Cirrus is definitely several cuts above with regard to modern systems integration, interior functionality and cool factor. Make no mistake, they have done a great job with their product.
Let's face it, it is the best selling piston in the world.

But, it does have its drawbacks. Engines run very hot to get the hp. Look at the history on blown/bad cylinders. Believe that it is higher than usual due to demands on the engine.
It is single engine. Some believe that is a plus, some a minus.

Baron... interior, except for the G1000Nxi is current right up to 1970. Beech has done a terrible job updating its airframes.

Beyond that, the Baron, in my estimation. Was preferable. Way more stable in strong crosswinds. Better in ice. Boots better than TKS system. Not as limiting. Plus you have two spinny things.

Loved that plane, put nearly 1300 hours on it in six years. So much fun in the terminal environment. En route too...

For us the performance advantage and just piece of mind in having two engines pushed it over the line. For sure it is a preference thing. But a lot of fligthts over rural areas. Lot of flights at night. Something more reassuring about two engines cranking. And as mentioned before, just performed better in windy and tougher conditions. But we fly in the Northeast and New England, so it may not be an issue for you.

Nice summary. Thanks Bill

Yeah, I asked that because, intent doesn't always work out to actually doing the thing that justified the purchase. Kinda like home exercise equipment.

FWIW, I like my Columbia 400 a lot better than the SR22T. Engine runs cool, faster and feels better hand flying. No parachute.

im not sure Id make a decision just on angel flights and pet rescue options. Make it based on what you want to fly, and let the charity missions that you want to take fit your plane that you have. They arent paying for it. . .

The baron has the double doors. Its convenient. But I'd almost argue that a smaller door being more limiting is a good thing. . .I knew someone in a 414 that did angel flights. He had his air stair door damaged when someone heavier just kind of jumped/stepped whatever on to his air stair door. It ended up doing 20K in damage to the hinge and part of the airframe. Now he wont take anyone over 200-225 lbs (ANYONE in the party, not any patient) for an angel flight. So he does very few of them. . .

but its hard to beat the SR22 - especially for older pilots. Non-retract, caps, etc, etc. its literally driving a lexus vs driving an Yukon. But regardless of additional functionality for charity flights - I'd get what works for you and your family as first and foremost.

I can't speak to animal transport - guess it would depend on the size of the animals.

But I did a lot of AF in the SR22 and SR22TN. They were great for AF, and I had one of my passengers get out of a 58 and into my SR, and comment how much easier it was to get in.

When you step into the back seat, you can literally stand up in front of the seat, and sit down normally. With a "Little Giant" ladder that has big wide stable steps and handles a lot of weight, the SR was a terrific AF option.

(The 182 was the hardest option. It was difficult for them to get up in the back seat.)[/quote

True, it depends on situation. I have not done AF but friends who have praise the barn doors for easy access plus some may have medical devices with them. Others who have done it can speak better to this. I have done animal transport in which most have been able to be free in cabin with my wife’s attention but some are scared and are better in a crate. Some crates I have used for transport would not fit in well in a SR22

That is a primary concern of mine. Random passengers are just thinking "steps" and not "antique 45 year old airplane built for people much smaller than my lard a$$".

That is a primary concern of mine. Random passengers are just thinking "steps" and not "antique 45 year old airplane built for people much smaller than my lard a$$".