A single-seat isn't as scary as it sounds. Get some
dual in a similar two-seat - spin training, mostly -
and you're off.
It's really hard to beat the bang/buck of a $30k
Pitts S-1. If that's not enough for you, the $50k
Yak-55M is the obvious next step.
You can spend an awful lot more than that, and
not get much more (in a two-seat).
Yak 54 CS likes is OK, but not worth the price in my opinion
I'm sure you're right, from your perspective of
specs (see previous post) and contest performance.
I just subjectively think it is just such a cool airplane.
An R-985 Stearman won't do very well at a contest,
either - though Guenther has struggled mightily over
the years - but I still think they are cool.
A T-6 is another expensive beast that would suck in
the box, but again, plenty of coolness. T-28? Oh yeah!
Again, unless you're going to try to win the next WAC,
buy an aircraft that
you (not anyone else) enjoy
flying - because that's why you are getting it. Don't lose
sight of that.
There once was a guy called Snort that flew an F-14 at
the WAC. Now, people here would sniff their noses and
say that Snort is a loser (compared to them, I guess)
because he didn't win the contest, but flying an F-14 in
the box at the WAC is incredibly cool.
If you can't understand that, I'm not sure I know any
better way to explain it.
PS If you ever meet Snort (great guy) ask him about
the first time his father took his mother flying - in a two
seat aerobatic aircraft!!