I agree with the RV sentiment, but in Europe they will be day/VFR limited (what they are capable of is another matter).
The RV-9 trades aerobatics for a huge payload.
Forget the silly tricycle pre-occupation, and it's even better, less weight, drag, cost and maintenance and more robust on rough fields; all for a few hours conversion training.
A recently completed RV should also fit price-wise.