I used to be on the Dash and I still miss it. It's a great aircraft to transition from GA aircraft to turbine transports.

I loved it because:

Four across seating which means a super comfy ride in the front and the back as compared to say the ERJ 145

APU, FMS, EFIS, pressurization etc- as stated a good intro aircraft

Good performance for a turbo-prop (even tough I have no other frame of reference). Cruises at 265 TAS, operates comfortably into and out of 3,000' strips, we were able to take off and land with up to a 20kts tailwind, 36 kts x-wind demonstrated, I've been at 14 DME and 14,000' and still made it straight in (the controller couldn't believe it), can maintain the Vmo until 5-6 miles and still touch on the numbers....I could go on, but I hope this helps.