I wouldn't say price is a governing factor - but of course I speak from the outside looking in. I'm not "exactly" sure what price of a competitive 2M pattern ship is nowdays....it's just look what you get for your money.

I'm finishing up a new plane now that I dropped $4,500 on and I know when I go fly I don't have the most expensive plane at the field by a long shot with planes from $5k to $8k not uncommon.

With that plane I can go out and "sport fly", 3-D, fly IMAC etc.....

If I bought a $5,000 pattern plane I would likely use it only for pattern contest/practice and have a plane with 30-40 less inch wingpsan.

Just food for thought.