most of us are more or less in denial about what flying really costs us
Isn't that the truth! But (I always tell myself) it's really not so bad, compared to the cost of owning a cottage, or buying a fancy car every few years, or whatever.
Cirrus? Side sticks, glass cockpit, tricycle undercarriage, gas-guzzling engine, plastic
limited life airframe ... it might appeal to some, but it's certainly not
my cup of tea (I can't see QDM in one of those things, either)!