Doug,
Don't throw out the bonanza for the wrong reasons.
1 - you can have a dual yoke or throw over yoke. No big deal. The
throw over yoke very clever and extremely well made as is everything
else in a Bonanza. If you don't want to throw it over you don't have
to. It's like flying with any other other yoke but you'll be surprised
at how smooth and robust the controls are.

2 - I've heard this before about reversed controls. In my Bonanza
there's really nothing that's odd or out of place so I'm not sure what
it means. The flaps, gear, throttle, mixture and prop controls are all
clearly identified. My citabria had the throttle on the left and the
stick in my right hand. Now it's yoke in the left hand and throttle in
the right hand as it is in most side by side airplanes.

3 - Expensive to buy? I can't imagine getting a decent tb20 for less
than 150-200k. For that money you'll get a fantastic Bonanza. Costly
to maintain. I'm really not there yet. So far I've bought two rubber
flap bumpers for $2.70 each and had a attitude indicator rebuilt for
$400.00. You point is a good one but remember, no matter what parts
cost - labor is labor. Also keep in mind that much of the maintenance
will be stuff that is common not Beech specific-engine, radio,
instruments, tires, brakes, fluids, paint, upholstery, wire, lights, etc.

Like most things, you should try one for yourself and see what you
think. It sounds like you've been given advice from folks that don't
own or don't like Bonanzas. I never thought I'd own one but I'm glad I
let my friends talk me into at least flying one before I bought
something else.

Regardless of the airplane you buy, one thing that was a real bonus for
me was to hire a Bonanza expert. He helped me search for planes and
spoke to the sellers and their mechanics on my behalf. I guess
mechanics speak a special language. He's an AP/IA so he was able to get
better information from other mechanics than I could have. Finally
when we had what we thought was a winner. He did the pre-buy inspection
for me.
I enjoyed the search for my planes I hope you do too. Best of luck.
Dave
M35


Douglas Paterson wrote:

"Newps" wrote in message
...

Douglas Paterson wrote:

the Bonanza for that matter, though I'm not really looking at those--no
offense, Newps! )
But don't rule it out. Get all the facts/numbers.

I doubt I have "all" the facts--will I ever? But, I did rule out the
Bonanza for essentially three reasons:

1) The throw-over yoke. That's just downright weird--and, especially my
first time out, I'm deliberately avoiding weird. "Baby steps."

2) The reversed controls. Weird again.

3) Cost. Based on your post, I guess you'd disagree with this one. Seems
like everything I read, though, indicated that the Bos are pricey to buy and
pricey to maintain.

Everything I've read *also* seems to indicate that the Bos are great
airplanes--just not the right one for me, not this time. Thanks for the
input!