As mad_jock said, the PA38 stall is okay if you use the rudder pedals for what they're intended for. Making sure you're nowhere near the MAOW is important though. My first stall was in an overweight aircraft and it was dire! After that, my instructor was very careful to make sure we had half tanks or less before trying it again.
I got used to the trimmer and found that the constant adjustment needed became automatic. Not only does the seat adjust, it rises as it goes forward and drops as it goes back. My wife (4' 11") can see out and reach the pedals, and I'm too far back and too low on the furthest back position. (I'm 6' 2").
The PA 28 is much more stable, but not quite as much fun, but that too has some nasty habits. I was very glad that the instructor who gave me a checkout in the PA 28-151 demonstrated what happens when you dump all the flap in one go at 4000'!