I had an RV-3 for a long time and now a V-tail. The entire RV line is fantastic and you'll enjoy flying any of them. Amateur built, so make sure you find a good one and get some professional help on the prebuy. There is a fantastic support network, not just from the factory but on the VAF website. Not being encumbered by "certificated aircraft" regs is a beautiful thing that you will enjoy and appreciate almost instantly. If you enjoy working on your airplanes you will likely enjoy it less with an RV. Lots of little idiosyncrasies since they are amateur built and things aren't nearly as robust. Especially compared to a Baron. Prices have really increased lately but still a real bargain considering what you get. "Total Performance" is their slogan and it's true. 200 mph top end and 50 mph stall at ~ 8-9 gph and most are aerobatic, what's not to like about that? Good luck.

Case closed. I’ve selected an RV-4 to buy. Heads to pre-buy in Georgia this Friday.

Awesome! Is Vic Syracuse handling? There is no one else in the area I would trust more for either an inspection or maintenance. He and his son have a great operation.

I have an RV6A and a Cessna 182. I've owned the RV for about 21 years and the Cessna for about 4 years. I use to fly the wheel pants off the RV until my mission changed about 3 years ago and I needed a four place airplane. Now the Cessna sees 140 hours a year on it and the RV about 14 hours. The RV is a fun Sunday morning breakfast runner and it's speed vs fuel burn just can't be beat (unless you're John Cooper in his Lancair... ) I just can't bring myself to part with the RV as I know that machine inside and out and twice over. We've been through a lot together!

But the big downside of owning 2 airplanes is you'll be doing annual inspections every 6 months instead of one every 12 months. I purposely did my RV annual 6 months early this year to get it 6 months away from when the Cessna is due.

Dave

The RVs are fantastic, but the closest I have felt to having sprouted wings was in a Cassutt IIIM... a close second was in a Mooney Mite.

I have flown a couple of Cassutts and at least one of them was as you say - a delight to fly.
The other one was like holding on to the tail of a flying tiger. As for "sprouting wings" try skydiving, it's the purest form of flying I have found. Cheaper than an RV and it doesn't take up hangar space.

I hope the OP shows us pics of his new RV-4

I think that is called falling

Yes, BUT....why is it that when you and I are falling next to each other and I spread my wings I go UP??? It's all so confusing to me...