7 vs 14
Having owned and flown both, the RV-7 and the RV-14, I will give my two cents. When I bought my 7, I ended up changing out the panel, seats, etc. to what I wanted. Once I calculate what I paid for the 7, plus the changes, it is close to equal what I have in the 14. However, I ended up selling the 7 for less than my original purchase price before all those changes. Buy the plane that fits your mission. Mine is long cross country trips for two. The 14 has longer legs, is more comfortable and IMHO, more stable than the 7. Add to that, the view is 10 times better. The side rails are lower, the canopy is bigger, so the view is spectacular. You will also have more head room because the canopy on the 14 is higher than the 7.
Let's say the 7 or 9 is 90K to build and the 14 is 130K. In a few years you decide to sell it. Let's say you get 85% of what it cost you to build it, although I suspect you could get more. For the older planes you will get $76.5K and the 14 you will get $110.5K. So to own the plane, less maintenance costs, the older planes cost you 13.5K and the 14 cost you 19.5K. Are you really making the decision to buy an older kit that will be more difficult to build and take longer for $6K? I didn't build the 7, but I can vouch for the quality of the 14 plans and parts and how much easier it is to build, especially for 1st timers. I can vouch because I got the plans when I bought my 7 and my hangar mate is building an 8. There is no comparison in the plans and parts today, verse the older models. Also take into account that Van's 14 kit does include a lot more of the pieces you will have to purchase elsewhere for the older models. The difference in price between an IO-360 or IO-390 is nill with what Van's is offering for the IO-390. However, if you mission is to keep the price as low as possible, you can probably find a used IO-360.
Before anyone jumps my s*** about the 14 not costing 130K or the older not costing 90K or my 85% number, I'm sure you can build both for less or more, I just used those numbers as a guide to make a point.
Yes, Van's does make some choices for you with wiring and molex connections that you may not want, however, now that the kit is out there, if you want to pull out parts and DIY for the 14, you can.
Finally, I am planning on being at Petit Jean next month and will take you for a ride if you want to see the 14 fly. Or if you want to just sit in it to see how it feels, "if" you have clean feet! I am very proud of my plane and extremely happy I chose to build a RV-14. It might not be for everyone, but it is for me.