4 place ,150mph

Turbonormalized Bonanza. Unfortunately, they're a lot faster than what you're looking for. ;-)

 

Not sure about these, but DA40, 182R? Will they carry the weight?

 

Ask Rob ( I am sure he will see this) about his Cessna 400.

 

It may not be a very glamorous ride, but I have a 200HP Arrow with a gross weight increase and LoPresti mods. I plan about 5kt shy of what you're looking for and have taken off within limits with four adults (155, 125, 150, 200), full fuel, and about 35lbs of baggage. It didn't lumber down the runway, either. You can get those pretty cheap with decent avionics. Beyond that, I'd agree that a Bonanza is a good way to go, unless you are a low time pilot.

That said, I desperately need more room and I'm over dealing with retractable gear, so I'm most likely moving up to a Cherokee 6. There are pretty good ones out there between $70-100K at the moment.

 

If you don't need to go too fast then a straight leg 182 or a Dakota are very capable airplanes. The 182 has a bit more useful load if memory serves me correctly but I was thinking that the later (with better wheel pants) Dakotas were just a tad faster. Both of those have 235 hp engines and that equates to a lot better climb than 200 hp airplanes.

Bonanaza's 182 RG's and 210's are a lot more airplane in terms of initial price, and since they are retracts cost more to maintain. My personal opinion (and qualified as such) is that real airplanes don't have straight legs. It bothers the engineer in me to have that drag down there and I always had retracts as just the price of flying. Not knocking the Cirrus or Corvalis, they are plenty fast, I just look at how much better they would be if they were retracts.... But speed costs money, and if you aren't going a long way it isn't worth a lot more. If you are going half way across the country 15 knots adds up.

Most light airplanes are really 3 place plus a baggage (for a real trip you need to plan for more than 15 pounds of baggage per seat) but with a 182 (or Dakota) you are looking at useful loads of 1350 pounds and that means fuel, four real people and some baggage for a reasonable (bladder wise) distance. Another thing is to look at the loaded weight and CG. Some airplanes have a big useful load, but not a very good CG envelope and that can hurt you too. With an airplane like a 182 the envelope is generous. If you can fit it in and close the doors, you can probably fly it....

Before you put your name on a chek, you need to compare the speed, payload, range, and weight and balance envelope of the airplanes you look at and make sure it works for you. If you do that you will find that something that might look like it is enough airplane really isn't. That includes some stuff like the Hawk XP or the Archer or even a Mooney 201. I know that sounds like a bit of work, but it really isn't too bad and it will save you a lot of headaches later.

 

AOPA has a great site and I am sure there are more out there as well that will help you compair planes.

www.aopa.org/members/pic/aircraftreviews/

also, go here and look at the learn bar

www.aso.com/