Mark,
Why can't you buy a Aeronca or Taylorcraft? They are just as cheap as
most of the UL's out there today. Of course there are a few exceptions. When
I see a 2 place Flightstar for 20G I look for something else. I'd take a
Luscombe over a Flightstar or the like any day of the week.
I do think the sport pilot thing will hurt the UL's. But myself I only
see it hurting the UL's that have been flying against the UL rules for
years. Since you like to build your own , maybe you can design a 2 seat
trainer that would make the UL altogether. That would be a feat I am sure,
but with your experience in UL , maybe just maybe you could pull it off.
Though the Sport Pilot rule may be not so good for UL's , it is great
for GA. I get to fly now!!! And there is no way I could have before, unless
I wanted to fly a UL. I'd rather not, and glad I don't have to! Now I can
fly alot of planes that do interest me.
I am sure the FAA will love getting some control over fat UL's, and that
is what the FAA has had a problem with. To many people could not follow the
rules as they were, so now there is a new rule. May not be perfect, but the
option was a rule making all fat UL flyers have a PPL, or totally shutting
them down.
Get a sport plane, advertise! And make some money off the new sport
pilot! It is a new biz opportunity for those that can get over the "old way"
and move on to see the future. And by all means keep your UL's to have fun
with!

Good Luck!
Patrick
student SPL
aircraft structural mech