Im an older, experienced pilot who re-entered flying in a light sport aircraft, a nicely restored Aeronca Chief.  Now I'm ready for something to spread my wings a little further and I really like the 601-650 series, particularly with the Continental 100HP engine as I'm experienced with a similar Continental 75 hp in the Aeronca. I have the Aeronca up for sale now but I don't plan to wait till it sells to move up. I have the funds, I'm in good health, great fall weather is coming and I'm not getting any younger

I have been seriously looking at a 2006 AMD 601 and a 2008 AMD 650, both factory built but both factory orphans to be converted to ELSA. The 601 has a parachute, nice IFR panel and slightly larger geopilot GPS. The 650 is newer, has a better layed out panel with an older Garman 396 GPS, no parachute and no IFR. I felt the IFR panel, though NOT sport legal, could be a great safty factor in an emergency IFR situation and certainly the ballistic chute would be. The parachute costs $5200 new and un-installed but then is is brand new. It looks eazy enough to install but kind of messy with no ideal way to deal with the straps on the outside of the fuesilage. I can buy the 650 for almost enough less to pay for the uninstalled parachute. 

Can I have some advice and suggestions from 601-650 owners and builders please :-)