Most guys just fly around burning circles in the sky during their hour building.
Come back to the UK and get your IR(R) then hour build flying IFR.
Spend a chunk of your hour building flying IFR in actual IMC, doing instrument approaches into proper airports and you'll be going into the CPL like a king.
I did this many moons ago and got my full IR via CBIR route. I was going into airline sim assessments with the same hours logged as everyone else but more than twice as many IFR hours logged.
You'll find with the above, aircraft availability in schools and clubs won't be a problem for you because you'll be able to fly when most others don't want to or legally can't.
Don't get hung up on the aircraft type. I flew little geriatric steam gauge C172 and PA28s in conditions that would make some of the pro guys I now fly with lock up in fear.
Single pilot IFR in actual IMC without autopilot, with an analogue panel, is the most challenging flying you can do, especially at night.
Throw in tail wheel and aerobatic ratings while you're at it.