I'm looking at the question and list of answers, and notice no one really asked a question about this question...
All aircraft are a series of trade-offs. We have a list of features we want, and assign a value to them. Features are fixed, but value is dependent on the buyer:
Feature Value to me
====== =========================
Top speed medium
Jet powered? Low
Slow landing speed High
Cost to own medium
Cost to acquire high
4 seats? Low
Certified? Low
Track record High
Tube and fabric? Low
Gross weight? Medium
Modern instruments? Medium
IFR capable? High
etc.
I think you build the list, and compare options that are available.
The key here is what is available. When the list put out the question "What should Van build next?" I said: "High wing pusher, 250knot, O-200 powered 4 seater that runs on Jet-A that costs less than $10,000 to build."

*sigh*
It is my understanding that folks in heck also want ice water.
CC
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David Boeshaar
RV-9A - N18TD (reserved) - Fuselage.
"My greatest fear: What if the hokey pokey really IS what its all about?"
TDAircraft.com
-July-
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