I am on my second T206H. Many times you will hear that a 206 is just a bigger 182. While there is truth in that, there are also a lot of differences that matter.
The gear looks like a 172/182, but isn't. It's a truck spring, basically indestructible. It is also real bouncy like any un dampened spring. That means landings are much less forgiving. I have let several experienced pilots fly mine and they always have some issues with a smooth landing. Not that it is a big deal, but a nuance vs. a 182/72.
The wing looks similar, but IME isn't. The 206 wing is a heavy lift wing. Mountain ops, heavy weights, weights above gross (I've heard), are all a piece of cake. I routinely take off above 7,000' with temps in the 90's at gross, zero wind, non-event. I have also flown them into the mid-20's at gross no problem. Short landings, 1000' or less, is routine.
Truck like handling.... Sure. I happen to like it. Flying IFR in heavy rain, bumps, night, etc. I like a bird that stays put and feels more like a heavier TP or jet to the passengers. Definitely boring vs. something like an RV, but well suited for real world flying.
When you look at the price difference in a restart 206 vs. 182 it doesn't make sense on paper. When you have owned both it makes a lot of sense. Of course they aren't perfect, I always wish I could go faster than 150 and burned less than 16, etc. They're all a compromise.
I can't comment on the Piper, as I have never flown that model.
