"Martin Hotze" wrote in message
...
"C J Campbell" wrote:

(...)
The Cessna 182 gives you more speed and payload than the Diamond, but
not
more range, for at least $30,000 more. It also burns 3 gph more fuel
(but
gas mileage is about the same -- so much for supposedly more streamlined
design of the Diamond) and has greatly reduced visibility and it just
does
not look as cool. I would say that this airplane still beats the Cirrus
hands down.


so if you had to decide what to buy, what would you buy? a Diamond or this
C182?
what would you buy as a FBO/renter? as an owner? a a club? and why?

Personally, I like the Diamond, but I think it is overpriced. It should sell
for $30,000 less. The WX band system is a $6,900 option on the Diamond; it
is standard on the 182T. That puts a DA40 equipped with WX band at nearly
$267,000 -- pretty darned close to the low end of a 182T for an airplane
that is basically a fast 172SP. I have to ask, is the extra fifteen knots
really worth $80,000 more than what a 172S costs? I like the way the Diamond
flies and the nice cockpit layout; the only trouble I had with it at all was
reaching the rudder adjustment handle. Visibility is second to none.

As an FBO/renter I think I would prefer the Diamond. Operating costs are
much less, the airplane is easy to fly, and it seems about as bullet proof
as you can get. Also, Diamond has the DA42, which offers a quick upgrade to
multi-engine for your customers. Trouble is, acquisition cost of the Diamond
is very high, so the maybe the best plane for an FBO is still going to be
the old reliable 172SP. Few people are really interested in renting the 182,
but the Diamond would draw customers who want the latest in design and
technology. I also think the better visibility of the Diamond makes it a
better scenic plane, but then again the 182T can actually fill the seats and
the guys in back don't have their view obstructed by the wing.

As an owner I think I would prefer the 182T, especially the T182T if I could
afford it. The built-in O2, turbocharging, and long distance capability make
this the ultimate in utility. The vast network of repair shops that can work
on these airplanes pretty much guarantees that you will never be stranded
out in the middle of Montana somewhere (though that is a pretty nice place
to get yourself stranded... especially if you brought your fly fishing
gear).

Back to the club, I would like to have both. :-) And a Cirrus, too. And a
DA42, and a choo-choo train, and a horsy. But if I had to choose a club
plane I would go with the Diamond for the same reasons I would choose that
plane for an upscale FBO.

As for Garmin G-1000, it is very nice as flat panels go. However, it gives
you little more capability than traditional instruments, costs more, and
requires special training. It is more attractive visually, but I don't see
that it is necessarily more reliable than what we had before. Is it really
worth a $30,000 premium? I think it is, but I am sure not going to insist
that everyone else agree with me. Maybe my money would be better spent on
other art forms, but I like this panel.

In many respects, the question is moot. If I wanted a Diamond it would be on
the ramp tomorrow (well, the day after tomorrow). I could get a Cirrus
pretty darned quick, too, and I would be willing to take another look at
this plane if the 4350 hour restriction has been removed. If I want the
T182T (and really, Cessna is not making very many G-1000 equipped normal
182s), then I "might" be able to get one if one shakes loose from another
dealer sometime this year, but there are no guarantees and I can't go to a
dealer in another part of the country if I want one. Put it this way: the
Diamond and the Cirrus actually exist. The T182T is vaporware. I might as
well try to buy flying saucers from Betelgeuse. Now I suppose that people
will accuse me of being on an anti-Cessna crusade.