I see what you mean, and have known the same embarrassment. But frankly: as the new owner of a Rotax-powered 2-seater, I do find your Aero Commander posh. Which I think only good for you, still it leaves me slightly jealous. That you can afford to own such a plane is hard enough to bear, that you can afford to actually fly it is much worse.
But at $38K, that's about £25K. In fact, when was the last time you saw a Cessna 172 in good shape for less? Certainly less than any Audi, BMW or a Mercedes, more like your garden variety Vauxhall.
Granted, only reason I can fly it is because it's in the US. Here I would be doomed at £2/litre - it would be suicide.