if you find the 152 too small then think about the 172 or the piper worrior. the DA40 would prob be the best out of all but the dimonds are having loads of problems at the mo getting engine parts as the company that make their engines has gone bust.
i did my ppl in the worrior and it was a good choice for me as just finishing off my cpl in the arrows which are simmilar. did my hour building in the 152s and 172s though.