From posts both in Pprune and other aviation forums which I have cut and pasted below, there seems to be a consensus that the Cirrus is definitely not for inexperienced pilots.
Some of the other less well known negatives are (1) The airframe apparently has a life of around 4000 hrs, which would make them a problematic purchase after say 3000 TTAF and (2) the Annuals are very expensive with long down-time.
It is also reported recently that there is a far higher proportion of used Cirrus aircraft for sale compared to Piper, Cessna, Mooney or Beech. It's had a negative effect on the resale value of the "other brands", but it's predicted that the used Cirrus market will soon become "saturated" with resales, and at that point the public will begin to see the Cirrus as a "disposable airplane".
Here's what pilots in other forums have had to say:
(a) Cirrus is trying to market these planes to yuppies who've never flown light aircraft before and who lost interest in old metal airplanes because they were too noisy and uncomfortable compared to a modern car.
(b) If all else fails... pull the parachute. Unfortunately, as of July 2005 all of the folks who actually needed the parachute to save their lives are in fact dead. The previously mentioned owners in New York who got into a spin, for example. Either the 'chute didn't work or they couldn't get it to deploy. On February 6, 2005, an SR22 pilot crossing the Sierra reported having trouble with ice (NTSB ID: LAX05FA088), despite the fact that his plane was equipped with the TKS ice protection option. He pulled the parachute, but was apparently going too fast at the time, which resulted in the cords ripping out of the airplane and the plane and pilot slamming into a mountainside.
(c) IMHO, the only people that should really be flying the Cirrus are professional flight training schools (for people that want to fly for a living). It's not the airplane for your typical weekend warrior, by any means. And more money does not necessarily equal more sense. This airplane is quickly replacing the Bonanza for the reputation of "doctor-killer."
(d) My owner friends report that annuals have taken three to eight weeks at authorized Cirrus service centers and cost from $5000 to $10,000 for in-warranty airplanes
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(e) Yes and no- unfortunately money is allowing rich folks to buy the shiny new plane and kill themselves with their false sense of security, but those who are properly trained in the plane are no more dangerous in it as they'd be in a new 172SP. Most aircraft salesmen are more interested in getting the plane out the door and paid for than they are with ensuring proper training is given. Give it some time and I'm sure there'll be more incidents like this unfortunately- had to have something to replace the Beech.