Mad Jock.
I agree with your sentiments.
If I bought an aircraft to keep for many years, then I don't see any problem spending money to make it more suited to my use.
But (as mentioned earlier in the thread) with all the 100 series SIDs, high hours, ex-flying school, an odd choice of aircraft to pour money into when something with a 430 can be picked up for reasonable money. Certainly less than a 150 plus the cost of installing new Mode S, 430, etc.
Thats all.