mission profile defines choice
I think the previous posters have it in one.
Mission profile is the key.
For me my flying is all point to point business day and night VFR/IFR.
I almost never just go up to fly around for pleasure.
The R44II and M20-R have been fantastic. I did 4.4h of flying 2 weeks ago instead of 24h+ on the road. My pleasure is the time saving more than anything.
For a light aircraft the Mooney is unbeatable in terms of economy, speed, range and de-icing capability. Of this there is absolutely no question - nothing comes anywhere near close. The next step up is to be sitting behind a PT-6 and this means megabucks.
The R44 is also the Mondeo equivalent helicopter - by far the best value in terms of speed, safety and economy. The bigger stuff costs 5 times as much and goes 20kt faster more expensively with comparable range - go figure?
If I were flying for pleasure then it would definitely be an LAA type - I had one of the first Europas and put 560h on it in the late nineties. Maybe when I retire?
defining optimal choice hinges on the mission profile.
SB