While touring FL looking for a 172 to buy with a friend in 1997, we looked at a 177 Cardinal RG. According to local maintenance engineer they need more maintenance than the equivalent 172 or 182. Probably due to the RG system. It all seems to work quite nicely, but I wouldn't fancy hammering it out of grass or rough strips.
In the end, my pal went for an old V-tail 'nanza. Over here my old man has a 182P. Will lug 4 people and full fuel (it has LR tanks also) plus a bit of luggage a long way at a decent speed. Although it doesn't have the looks of the 177, that big continental 230hp six chimes away and give great short field performance. Compared to pals bonanza with a similar 225hp version of the motor, the 182 lifts of far earlier and goes skywards.
Not to scare, but did you see that fox tv 'world's most amazing tv' show where the guy hung out of a C210 (I think) with the twisted foldey back gear backed up and yaked it forwards manually...? Scary stuff.
Aq