Suggestions of purchase of my first plane

[ryanhofer]

OK, private pilots license is complete, aerobatics next couple weeks to see if I like it, fly for fun for the next couple months and then get my IFR rating taken care of. In the meantime, I'd like to purchase a plane. I think I’ve narrowed it down, but am open to suggestions, advice, opinions, etc. The things I know I want for sure is 160kt or better cruise speed, capable of acrobatics (in case I enjoy them), 2 seats side by side, constant speed prop, less than 1400lbs, less than 200hp, economic/good fuel consumption, less than 5yrs old and a budget of $125k. Many of the pilots here fly Vans RV’s, so everything that I look at gets compared to them and they just seem to stand out in many of the categories. The ones that keep coming up are the RV7a & 9a. I like the Cirrus SR22 (not sure i need the space for the family), but would rather not borrow any money to buy one, at least my first one. I'm replacing an addicting exotic car hobby with kind of a lateral move to sport/hobby airplanes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Ryan
South Dakota

[Dantilla]

I'm a big fan of being debt-free. An RV is probably your best choice.