Matt Barrow wrote:

Three years ago I bought (for cash) an B36TC ("Pre-owned") and the broker
damn near gave me a BJ just to go up with him.

Brokers are a different story than the manufacturers. They're just
flying someone elses aircraft (and frequently at the sellers expense).
The broker I purchased the Navion through was more than happy to let
me fly it. He didn't even want to be in the right seat (I had brought
along an instructor of my own).