ASW 27 vs. Ventus 2b

ASW 27's and Ventus 2B's are are both 15 meter (flapped) and
sailplanes -- nice ones at that!

Should they be considered equivalents or are there reasons to prefer
one over the other (based on performance, handling, price, niceness,
holding value, maintainability, availability, etc., etc.)?

Are there other sailplanes that deserve to be mentioned with these (15
meter, flapped, similar performance, similar vintage, etc.)?

One thing is that the ASW 27 polar is on the website at
http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/index_e.htm ; I can't find similar
information from Schempp-Hirth on the Ventus.

I've also noticed that the 27 has a front hinging canopy and the
Ventus' hinges on the side (maybe that's why the V is listed as 5kg
lighter). Min sink for the 27 is .52 m/s vs .51 for the Ventus.

The 27 has max/manuvering speeds of 285/215 kph (154/116 kts) vs.
Ventus' 270/180 kph -- that's a difference -- is the 27 faster?

I'd be perfectly happy to find out that preferences are sort of Ford
or Chevy like... just curious (and still dreamin').

Eric
ER