Much of the lower cost of an LAA type comes from both the ability of the average LAA owner to DIY, and from the legal ability to do so to a much bigger extent than on a CofA type.
So before recommending going down that route one needs to establish the appetite the punter has for getting his hands dirty.
A bit one sided IO! There are many maintenance firms out here who will do work on Permit machines for a sensible rate. I know of at least two who charge 40% less to Permit a/c owners than they do for C of A a/c owners when they use the same tools!
There are some wealthy people out there still who are happy to keep paying for their C f A types. If they can afford it, why not!?