Homebuilt kits

Thinking of building. Have been looking around and not found the kind
of selection I though was available. Found Zenith, Sonex and Vans. Of
the three, I'm looking a little harder at the two seaters from Vans
(RV-7 and -9) and Zenith (Zodiac XL). Obviously different performance
but costs don't seem that much different.

Would anyone be willing to share their experiences with building kits
from these companies? Any comments on flight characteristics of these
planes? Reliability? Any information to share? Reputation? Etc?

I stopped flying a little over 30 years ago but have ~ 1200 hours and a
CASMELI.

I'm in the midwest U.S.

TIA,

CV