Old school +1 to what CRAN said.
As someone who is actively in the market for a 44 right now, it might be, however, that the price point for new 44's could be just about right. As a primarily recreational flyer I'm looking for a partner. Two people I've approached so far and both of them only want a brand new machine with glass and seem happy to pay the price. Both have walked away from a couple of smoking deals on some fresh overhauls, each sold in under two weeks.
I really would prefer at least one partner as it simply doesn't make financial sense otherwise (well, it doesn't make financial sense, period, but you know what I mean
). But the demographic is tough around here. Most non-career types who are in a financial position to obtain their helicopter rating apparently have enough money to just go out and buy a spankin' new ship.