I believe the only difference between late model '08's and '09 was the availability of FIKI.

Many, including Blue Book type services, attribute the Perspective option (G1000) to year's '09 and up, but it actually was offered in June of '08.

For comparison, my '08 has the Perspective and TKS, but it's not FIKI.

The G5 came out last year. It has a 200 lb UL increase.

I got Cirrus "Certified" in a 2013 Turbo when I still owned my Maule and was trying to decide what to get next. It was a great plane. Fun to fly and all the rest. Totally different animal than a Bo, in terms of maintenance, avionics integration, etc.

In the end, I found a Bo that fit my needs and just love the looks of the thing. It's the perfect x-country platform for me. The Cirrus would probably work just as well.

When I read these Cirrus/Bonanza threads they make me chuckle... Both are great planes!

If only they would come out with a retract version....

They don't make me chuckle, mostly because I have to duck from a couple or three people. But I enjoy talking about both planes.

And I agree - they are both great planes! I can vividly recall the feeling of covering vast distances and thinking how incredible each plane is.

I have a preference for one and an affinity for the other.

Nate - I agree. If I could have found an 08 or 09 with TKS in my price range, I would probably own it.

I do think that my Bo will hold it's value better than a newer Cirrus, In other words, I'll probably sell it for what I have in it. In the end, that pulled me towards the late model V35B.

Jim

Read somewhere that between well designed/faired gear and, more importantly - a wing that could be designed without gear space compromises there really is nothing to be gained with RG.

Read somewhere that between well designed/faired gear and, more importantly - a wing that could be designed without gear space compromises there really is nothing to be gained with RG.

Retrac = more weight, more maintenance, more planes with damage history....

+1, do we have to do this again...sigh..I guess so

+1, do we have to do this again...sigh..I guess so

By way of background. I bought my F33C in 2003 and my Baron in 2008. I flew the F33C over 600 hours and have over 600 hours in my Baron. Throughout my flying life I have owned or flown basically every typical Piper and Cessna single engine.

I am a Beech fan and have the posts to prove it. I am still a Beech fan. However...

This airplane was a far better experience than I expected. I flew the NA SR22 with FIKI. Perspective plus? It had a yaw damper. I just have not flown in a modern airplane. Its fit and finish is solid. There was plenty of room in all directions. More room than my Baron, or at least the perception of more room.

My hangar mate Bill V. rode along in the back. Bill is a big guy (Cornhusker Football Player) and our Demo Pilot, Gary, is 6' 3" or so. I'll let Bill speak for himself, but I think he was totally comfortable in the back seat behind Gary.

Everything fit. Everything was "right sized." That's the best way I can say it. No reaching over here, bending over there, everything is right there. Start up was easy and the plane was quiet. I took my headset off and I could have had a conversation with Gary easy. With the Bose on it was almost eerie quiet. It was hot and humid. Turned the AC on and it didn't hang icicles off the ceiling, but I was totally comfortable. The AC passed the test. You can run it whenever you want.

Taxiing with toe brakes would take some getting used to. But I kept it pretty much on the centerline. Run-up and everything was easy and quick. Move the side-stick wherever you want and it doesn't hit your legs.

Take off acceleration was brisk. On the side-stick, Gary was very specific in telling me that limited control displacement had major impact. This is very true. The side-stick, intuitively, is a big adjustment. But, I will say I did not have any problems taking off, flying an approach, doing whatever on my first flight. I would have needed a few landings, but that is primarily due to the sight picture. There is no question in my mind I could transition to the side-stick with ease.

Airwork. The airplane is very responsive in bank. It seemed a bit less responsive in pitch. We flew around in the buffet, no problem. The electronic flight system is just nothing short of amazing. It keeps the airplane within its flight parameters. We did an overspeed and got up to 185kts indicated. You couldn't tell by sound as it was the same as when we were at 65kts.

The ride was just as good as the Baron in the summer bumps. That really surprised me, but the wing loading is fairly similar.

The Perspective Avionics Suite is just nothing short of amazing. Smooth, but positive. I have spent the last 30 years flying with the same basic technology. Times have changed.

The list on the airplane I flew was $599 AMU. The real question is did it fly $599 AMU worth of good? I can't say that for sure. But, I have to take back a lot of the stuff I have said on BT regarding the Cirri. Those comments were based on lack of knowledge and simple Beech Brand Loyalty. It has given me some pause.

Another analogy used is this is a car that flies. It even lands like a car that flies. I am very happy I took the ride and appreciate Gary in his professionalism and fun.

It is great to see a true unbiased opinion about the Cirrus! I think a lot of folks who bash it do so based on their loyalty to Beechcraft rather than on first hand experience. I am a Beech guy no doubt, but I loved my Cirrus and would take another in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, we just need a lot more space and love all of the comforts and capabilities the 421 offers.

Are you sure it was an NA and not a turbo? I fly a Cirrus and agree with most of what you said but I wouldn't call the plane quiet. I flew in the back of a Saratoga and that was a lot quieter but it was a turbo. Similarly the turbo Cirrus is also a lot quieter than the NA version.

The new turbos models (non tat) are quieter. Along with the turbo, max rpm is only 2500rpm. The NA versions are slightly louder than the bonanza. With a set of a20s it's all the same. After looking at the rv10, my next airplane will be a used SR22. It'll be another 4-5 years before I buy. Gotta collect a few more acorns. Undoubtably this will be 15 pages within a few days, most of the negative comments will come from people who have never actually read the POH or flown the airplane for more than 30 minutes. It's mostly coming from what they heard from an equally uninformed guy at the airport 8 years ago, blind leading the blind....

This took a lot to admit on this forum and I respect you more for it.

Nate a I will convert you to the dark side....