Looking for fast single piston aircraft

M7 Maule is a great airplane with loads of utility...if it fits, it will take it there, Lycoming 540 gets it up to mid 150's Knots... it has a huge wing great for short fields, it can be a 6 place and all can take their luggage... better yet order it with a Avco turbine and floats Reagan and Col North had the M7 in the news with their support of the contras

M5 a 4 place, slow and utility doesn't approach the M7, it one wants small and slow this is the plane

Viking is a good flying machine with good speed lacks utility and is best stored in a hangar ( uses wood in the spar )

 

Maule's are a not-fast single plane. You can maybe push them by using a ton of gas, but they are not made for distance high speed cruise.

Maule Began Design Enclosed Cabin Seat Light Aircraft

If you need to operate from short, unimproved strips in the back country, a Maule will be fine.