I was in your position, looking at the same airframes, and worked out that a nice 55 could be had for far less than 210/cherokee6/lance. I bought my baron mostly because it was cheap to get into, and then worked out it is a fabulous airplane. I realize I was fortunate, but I owned mine for 4 years, and never came close to spending the difference in acquisition costs. I don't see that the second motor and prop cost that much more to own.
Ron

I gave some fairly serious consideration to buying an Aztec recently, and it's not the "everything's going fine" costs that scared me, it's the exposure of having another $40-50k engine (and a second set of accessories) hanging out there that COULD go wrong.

Michael, I think you would be smart to stick to your budget and not push it.

Frankly, I'd get a Cherokee Six if I were you, although I do believe you can find a Lance for a $100K if you wait long enough. I have flown a 6-260 with my family and while it's never fast, it's a very useful airplane. No, it doesn't "handle" or feel particularly sporty, but the cabin is awesome if you get club seating. Hard to get out of CG limits, and overloading is unlikely.

I would try to get a tapered wing Saratoga, but they are tough to find at $100K.

If you're lucky, you might find a Cherokee Six with [working] air conditioning.

I have a nice 78 Piper Lance for sale listed on Controller.
N47711, I will try to send a link.Straight tail,non turbo.
We can deal on it.

I like two doors.

Yes, It COULD go wrong, but...you have another one(engine/accessories) along for the ride. Redundancy is nice. Very comforting when the wife and kids are along.

Oh Crap...I think I just started another single vs twin debate

Nearly 850 lb full fuel payload...incredible.

Good looking airplane!

Look at a cessna 205 also

Not sure I saw the mission profile as of yet. What is your mission that leads you to these planes as the only consideration? Is it packages or is it a growing family? How far is the average trip...and in what section of the country do you want to fly?

I'm in KY. All of my trips are in this part of the world. A couple of trips a year to Florida are the longest. The KOWB to KLOU and KOWB to KTZV several times to visit family. Also KOWB to KCHA.

I have no direct experience with operating costs, but I can say that in my calculations fuel burn is a substantial part of the price difference between owning a twin and a single. With that in mind I would not be looking at the fixed gear PA32s. Over a 600 mile trip I calculate you'd spend $15 more for fuel in a 55 Baron than you would in a Cherokee 6. That's not $15 per hour, it's $15.

Obviously there are other considerations to twin ownership. Mike Caban would be a really good source of information on operating a Baron inexpensively, but inexpensive is relative.

All of this to say; if you're going to go the single engine route get the fastest one you can afford. If you can manage the twin, I can't recommend the 55 Baron enough.

Do you need 6 seats or 5? A 5th seat in the back of a V-tail (plus some dramamine) would suit your 7 year old. Put mom and baby in the middle, you and #2 up front

That said - the club seating in a PA32 is going to be very friendly for your wife loading and managing 3 small kids. Plus plenty of room for carseats.

FIFY

Dramamine isn't likely to be a good solution long-term. The YD is a cost, but less than the upgrade cost of a new ride. All of that assumes Mike's 35 has room in the envelope for a 5 th passenger, some can't manage three.

Nearly 850 lb full fuel payload...incredible.

Good looking airplane!

This is exactly my scenario. I'd love to have an A36, it just doesn't have the utility of the PA32s.

Like buying a Panamerica when you rally should have bought the Escalade.