I agree with the apparent disjunction between passing the IMC and going IMC solo for the first time. I also agree that equipment levels should be pretty high with redundancy (2xVOR 1xADF, transponder, 2xCOMM as a minimum).
I can't agree with the comments on the PPL. I can't really see what more there was for me to do in training! Everything was well honed. Confidence was the only limiting factor. You can't have real confidence without getting out there and doing it.
Would I be alone in thinking that a less than pristine VFR aircraft helps make a more rounded pilot? I flew for months without an AI, a superfluous instrument in what most consider to be flyable weather. Neither would the lack of a DI trouble most people. A non-functional transponder is non-event and I never used VORs and ADFs when VFR except to maybe to practice or play.