OP here.

I still have to go with my current ride the TTx. Fastest SE in the world (arguable with the Mooney) Fixed gear, G2000 avionics, 102 gallons so great range with 2 or decent range with 4 people. Plus its the prettiest



Its even pretty upside down lolol.

I think the ES or ESP by virtue of being Experimental is right there with it (superior for my life).

Great machine that I need a ride in…

I'll bite on this thread. It was mentioned earlier, but I'll double down on the Malibu.

What can take 4 sets of golf clubs and 3 buddies 2+ hrs and no one is fighting with baggage? Nose baggage can swallow 3 sets and one in the back along with everyone's bags.

A 550 Malibu has the same motor as the TTx. In normal cruise (nothing stupid melting metal) at FL250 is probably about 5kts slower than a TTx. Malibu will do 215+kts. I usually fly 208-212kts at FL210-FL230 around 16gph. Engine is very happy at those alts and can handle going on alternate air in potential icing conditions.

My Malibu has a 1350lbs useful load. It can be loaded with 140gal if you want to try coast to coast.

Wife can move seat to seat during flight, pull out a table and work on her laptop, or recline nearly flat and sleep.

It can take 6, max I've taken 5 is adults, but with 4 it is very comfortable for hours.

Pressurized, so climbing into FLs is a non-issue with passengers plus the aft baggage is in pressure vessel.

It has a real radar.

Refreshment cabinets are in arms reach.

Quiet. Quieter than my Mercedes when it's pressurized in cruise. Most passengers don't wear headsets and chat like in a big SUV.

I've recently been flying tradewinds A36. It doesn't get much love here but man, its been pretty good so far.

Nose baggage holds a bunch. Full fuel + 3 people and bags, no problem. Cruise at 205 @ 12K. I've comfortably flown 700nm with reserve, so it's pretty close to your 750nm requirement. Smooth and quiet, like only a turboprop can deliver.

Did I mention fun to fly?

That all depends on the cars.

I've got two under the wings of my Bonanza. The '53 MG TD (with its top down and the windscreen folded) under one wing. The back of my '56 Mercedes 190sl is under the other wing.

On the flip side there sure a lot of pickups that I see here in Idaho that you couldn'tt put under the wings of a 182.

I was sort of partial to later Model T210's. Could take off from Wichita at 6:00 am with four or five people and several sets of ski gear and be on the slopes at Aspen by 10:00, weather permitting.
Got some P210R service test time; it was sort of a dog in real hot (100 deg F) weather.
Of course, the USAF Aero Club T-34 was fun, but needed more power.

The greatest three person airplane: Convair B-58 Hustler.
The greatest single engine airplane: Republic F-105 Thunderchief.
The greatest three person single engine aircraft: Stage 3 CM of the Apollo stack.
Them’s my choices. Take ‘em or leave ‘em!

I love the way you think, Antoni!

My 2007 Columbia 400 has a useful load of 1081 pounds, and a usable fuel capacity of 98 gallons. (varies slightly with year of production across Columbia/Corvallis/Ttx). Normally, I don't fly "full fuel" because I don't need to. I do have a landing weight to observe, but it isn't much of an issue.

Since it isn't pressurized, I tend to cruise in the mid/upper teens, 200-215kts on about the same fuel. CHT's usually in the lower 300's, around 320F most of the time. LOP, 14-15gph.

I've seen over 230kts in the mid 20's, but wearing a mask isn't terribly comfortable. The engine was fine and happy and nice and cool.

All in all, it's been a really great plane for me, costs have been reasonable too.

Those are great numbers, Larry!

Tell us about maintenance - have you found a shop that knows the type well, and can get you in & out quickly?

I might have good taste in cars. I just wish I had good cars

As I recall, it was about the Lancair that an owner once said, “I’m happy to take you for a ride, but just know that if the engine quits, we will likely die.” Something about the high stall speed.

All y’all are wrong.

Walter once opined that the best airplane is … the one your wife likes. Which was Dame Milkstool, his Twin Beech with aft lav.

Excellent list.

Only change I would make is Lockheed F-104 in place of the F-105 (but I'm biased being a Lockheed man).