I can't say the C-172 is a fun a/c, but it's an honest a/c that happens to have the best safety record of SE a/c.
I've loaded in four people with full fuel and taken off from a soft sand strip -- lower the nosewheel to just off the ground when the airspeed comes live.
Being 5'9" I crank the seat all the way up before getting in and have no problem reaching the rudder pedals.