Given the choice I would pick the DA42 over an older aircraft type. They tend to be more reliable (engines start first time, gauges work, not held together with duct tape etc) and with the trend indications on the Garmin 1000s should be easier to instrument fly.
Also you're looking at 2 levers for the engines (not counting alternate air) and a very simple engine shut down and restart drill. As long as you take a bit of time to learn the Garmin 1000 system on the ground with the software, you should have a lighter work load than with a non-GPS enabled aircraft with a total of 10 engine levers and no intergrated Nav.