The added “complexity” will not cause you much of a problem unless you forget the gear, but do not expect to get much of an increase in performance by going for a “low end” retractable. I have some time in a PA28R, and a Robin DR400 180 with fixed pitch and fixed gear will leave it behind and carry more weight. It was also an excellent instrument platform and cost much less to maintain than my friends Arrow did over the same period.
Rod1