Erik, You can't go wrong with the RV series. For the money they are the best performing homebuilts on the market but you won't build one for $40,000. $50-70k is more realistic. I am going to order a RV7 quickbuild kit as soon as I sell my Yak. I have flown RV4, 6, 6A, 8 and 8A and all have been great airplanes. My friend built the 8A while he did his PPL. He had 60hrs tt when he finished the 8 and it only took about 5hrs to check him out in it. The Zodiac and the Thorp are also great choices but for a few more bucks you can have a 200+mph cruiser that is also aerobatic if you so desire. The Pulsar II is also a great performer but more like 150mph with a Rotax 912. Don