Yes, I agree. Its a great engine. Mine has broke one starter cone (hyd-lock), and trimmed my coat sleave twice. I normaly don't use a stater on it, but it sound from your experance to just use the starter. No prime, just turn, and go!

Take offs are outstanding as you noted, I swear it will take of in less that 10 feet, just amazing with that Saito on there.

That plane sure glides nice too. Last Sunday my son took her way up, and killed the engine. Just to see how long she could glide. He got well over 3 minites of glide time till landing.