This doesn't really answer your question, but...

I too at one time wanted the 701. It could be plans built, easy to get
materials, easy fasteners, sport pilot eligible, etc. The downside was
the low cruise (real world was lower than factory claim, no surprise)
and lack of baggage space. I had a set of plans, materials, and tools,
but I later switched to a Bearhawk (4 place taildragger)

Plans built was one of the major factors in deciding what to build. The
problem is that a lot of these planes in this class (2 place, side by
side seating, SP eligible, etc) are offered as kits only. Kitfox, Avid
flyer, and so on. If someone could offer a plans built plane in this
same class but with decent cruise, I'd have considered it.

In the same vien, I like the ridgerunner type planes too. Two place
tandem, folding wings, decent cruise for their size (definitely a local
plane), and really fun looking plane. Too bad nobody offers these in
plans built either.

John