DA40-180
Been flying a 2007 DA40-180 XLS for just over 3 years (300 hours), G1000, IFR equipped.
Lovely to fly; comfortable, well-powered with the 180hp engine, good range, great vis., (great safety record for the DA40)
Some figures (actually recorded from the G1000 on a datacard):
- two-up, half tanks: 140KTAS @ 3,000ft, 8.0 gph
- MTOW, 133KTAS @ 10,000ft, 8.3 gph
No problems with the Lycoming engine and lots of maintenance organisations are familiar with it, of course.
Can take 4 people + light baggage if at least two people are light and tanks not full (flew to Berlin, 4-up + light bags, with one fuel stop on the way).
If you get one definitely get the GFC700 autopilot - if you are doing real IFR this makes such a difference flying approaches.
Downside is the long wings - do need to watch taxying and makes hangarage expensive.
Other thing: a DA40-180 with G1000 + GFC700 will be well over £100k.