Technics SL-1200GAE or VPI HW-40 or …?

Of your two choices I'd choose a third one: Technics SL1200G.
Following that, I might spend a bit extra money on upgrading the arm cable (maybe...).

https://www.brinkmann-audio.de/us/index.php

Look for one of their used DD turntables in your price range

I own the below turntable and it is much more affordable than the above discussion options and have not heard any of the above.  I only compared it to the Mofi Ultra Deck and preferred the Stealth.  The part time audiophile reviewer below owned the Technics 1200G for several years previously and basically stated in this review that the Music Hall Stealth sounded essentially the same as the much more expensive Technics.  

Anyway it's another good option for much less money that could be put toward other items such as cartridge and phono stage, etc which probably have even more impact on the sound.

Music Hall Stealth Turntable | REVIEW - Part-Time Audiophile (parttimeaudiophile.com)

A familiar Audiogon motif: OP asks should I buy A or B. Responders say buy C instead. I would only say to disregard a reviewer who says there’s no difference between the Technics and the Stealth. Sorry I can’t help with your choice as I’ve not heard either TT. I advise you to take a careful look at the features of both as regards tonearm and TA mounting, platter construction, ability to dissipate extraneous energy, etc., and use those factors in your decision making. Their both going to keep near perfect speed stability.

Technics have removable headshells, allowing a collection of cartridges, MC/MM/Mono

regarding Technics specs, here’s the database

My recommendation is to get a TT that has/allows two tonearms, 1 with removable headshell (1st one), eventually 2nd arm if you get into Mono for instance, ready to play stereo/mono in a listening session within seconds