Well, mine was the 1020th RV-9A flying, compared to an awful lot of other experimental's that's a pretty good record. It might not be the most popular choice in the RV lineup, but that's because Van has designed several different kits for specific missions, giving people the choice to build
their perfect RV-x, not just "an RV that's a compromise".
Don't want to go upside down, but carry two people? Build a -9.
Want to go upside down and carry two people? Build a -7. Want to go upside down, with a bit more room and oooomph? Build a -14. Can't hold a Medical? Build a -12. Have a family, here's the plans for a -10. Want to fly a turbine? The RV-13 is on the way*.
The point being,
all the RV's are an excellent compromise of performance, cost, size, etc, but within that compromise are traits that allow a builder to pick the
best compromise to suit their mission.
For over 1,100 builder's, that means a -9 and I love mine, it takes off and lands in under 250m & goes like a scalded cat... I just wish I'd listened to the KRviatrix and built a -10. Then I wouldn't be shopping for a 4-seater now and trying to find one that means I won't go
backwards in performance compared to the RV, and it turns out there aren't that many Comanche's or similar around...
*Statement may or may not be true!