Here's another vote for the Aries.

While I do not have any first hand experience with either one of these airplanes, I would go for the Aries. The Aries has a larger fuselage and that will help the airplane present better. This might not make too much of a difference depeding on what class you fly now, but it would help the higher up the competition ladder you go. I also think the Aries is a pretty good looking airplane.

I have heard mixed reports regarding the Phenom's flying qualities. Some people say that it is a good airplane and that is snaps great, and others weren't too awful impressed with it. I am like Gerald, I don't particularly care for the looks of the Phenom either, but that shouldn't determine the flying qualities of something.

There's a gentleman named Wayne Galligan whose name is TOYMAKER here in RCU that flies an Aries, he might chime in and tell you his experiences with it. Good luck with whatever airplane you choose!