ORIGINAL: TomCrump
You are going to run into trouble, if you think $500 is too much for a kit, especially for something rare, like a Cessna 185.
As John stated above, Wendel Hostetler has some nice designs that will work for you. Kit prices, though, will be another story. Expect $300-$500 by the time that you collect the kit, plans, and fiberglass parts.
apperantly you like others who have posted, have not actually read what I had posted, that was $500 for JUST the Wood, 500 for everything would be another story