Thanks Paul for the report on the Rebel. Nice to hear from first hand experiences. While I've never flown one, I do watch a friend build his and I'd take the Kitfox six ways to Sunday on ease of build. Not sure I'll ever see his fly. You mentioned a Glastar which I do have experience in one on amphib floats. Not much of an float plane even with the O-360. Great aircraft on wheels though.
I did fly my brothers Rans S7 with Rotax 100hp. It climbs very well. Almost as good as my model 4. I can leave it pretty quickly in cruise and the controls feel very heavy compared to any Kitfox I've ever flown. Baggage capacity is less and I was not impressed with the cockpit ergonomics. Instrument panel is at full arms reach. My brother would love to change to the Kitfox throttle controls but Rans has no way to change that. He also had some wear on the landing gear attachment that needed welding reinforcing at last conditional inspection.