That depends ! "Know thyself" is the most important thing.

Do you want to:
Keep up (even come close) to higher performance gliders ?
Fly contests ? (handicaps won't make flying a task possible on a
really weak day)
Mind landing out more ? (good retrieve crew)

Why would you want to by a low-med performance glider, even though a
used med-high performance is available for the same price ? One
design racing for the PW5 has bitten the dust. If you want one
design, get a 1-26.

I know that I would be frustrated in a PW-5 or L33, because the
conditions here in the Northeast USA often get marginal for those
gliders. You would struggle more and tend to land out more. I have
seen my friends with those gliders be frustrated with their XC
performance. You would not be able to tag along behind any of you
glider buddies and you better have a good retrieve crew.

But remember the choices are not just PW-5 or ASG-29 there is a whole
range of price/performance points. You specifically ask to ignore the
price but cheaper is the only advantage a medium performance glider
has.

Todd Smith
Grob 102 (1:36)
3S