Where are you at?

I am in San Diego, CA.

A & B model 170s are all
metal (you can tie them down outside), they're not a lot of $ to buy
(relatively speaking of course), they are dirt cheap to operate &
maintain + there are very few ADs.

All of this sounds very good!

The Swift is really
cool as well, but won't be as cheap/easy to operate (parts
availability, plus that retractable gear will cost you).

Yeah, but the swift cool factor is pretty compelling. I need to look at the
experimentals a bit more too. Don't know much about them.