The Simple Answer Is....
..if you want 4 seats, there's really only a few options (below). Be advised, for most of these, you're trading money for time. In other words, less cost to build = more time building. If not, then you have other avenues, but prepare yourself for an intense build.
4-seat CC Cruisers (In order of approximate CC speed - high to low)
1)
Lancair 4 - Glass. They also have the Evolution, but only for the well-off. Better speed, poorer short-field, extra comfort, for waaaay more money, "what's a slow build?"
2)
Velocity XL/XLRG/etc.. - Glass. Cheapish canard, with poor short-field, good speed, roomy, long build times, but QB available.
3)
Cozy Mark4 - Glass. Cheaper canard, poor short-field, a little too cozy for me, quick CC, very long build times, no QB.
4)
Foxtrot 4, Express 2000 (They're similar) - Glass. Somewhat clonish to the Lancairs, but cheaper. Not many built, not sure about support or build times. Quick birds, but not quick builds.
5)
Ravin 500 - Glass. Very similar to a Comanche, but faster and with better range. Retract, slow build, expensive, not many flying.
6)
RV-10 - Aluminum. My personal number 1 choice and IMHO the best choice. I chose to slow build to save money, but QB is an option.
7)
Sportsman 2+2 - Glass/tube. Really not a 4 seater (small back jumpseats), good short-field, floats, skis, taildragger or nose dragger options, high-wing, QB available.
8)
Sling 4 - Aluminum. Rotax engine, excellent economy cruiser, but at slower speeds. Less short-field, climb ability. Cheap, fast pop-rivet construction, roomier than the sportsman 2+2.
9)
Bearhawk - My second choice, a Cessna on steroids. Tube/fabric/aluminum. Could even be a 6-seater. Excellent short-field/no field abilities, small engine, so less operating cost, high-wing, floats, skis, etc., QB available. Slower CC cruise, but much faster than your Cessna!
10)
The "Others" (Whitman Tailwind, Bede 4, etc.) - Tube/fabric. Cheap, slower, but still faster than your Cessna. Old-school speed demons.
Happy hunting.
