for me the ideal would be to have enough bunce of my own to fly around something like my own 800XPC, or better a gulf 5 and to be flying it purely for the fun of it.
The whole problem! It's a job. If you want this purely for the fun of it stick with a PPL.
Precisely because it's seen as an extention to a hobby is why we all see continuous degregation of our T's & C's.
And BTW I never suggested being a FI. I didn't instruct. I worked in GA flying real aeroplanes and for what it's worth you can earn 2/3 of what a new entry BA F/O earns without having to pay for a rating! So economically, professionally and given the current circumstances it actually makes much more sense.
Jeez!