I did my PPL in a C152 - the Trabant of the flying world!!!!
Bloody good fun to take through the Banning Pass. If you are a big bloke Pilot16 then go for the 172, if you are normal size then go for the 152 - you may nopt have a choice and be forced to hire a 172 if you and your instructor put you outside the W&B calcs anyway.
I have flown the new 172 Millenium SP a few times since passing and its a lovely aircraft. Would I fly a 152 again? On my tod yes. With pax - wheres that Trabant gone?.....