Interesting post, but did anyone mention weights yet?
One of the most challenging aspects of my converting from C152 to C172 was the difference between me and a puny instructor flying in the circuit with 1/4 tanks, then being let loose to fly me and 3 big blokes with 1/2 tanks.
Years of flying 4-seaters later, I always factor my final approach speeds for the pax and fuel load. The POH is of some help here, and it is pretty much essential going into short strips that you think about this aspect before you are committed.