All aircraft design is, hopefully, aimed at a specific purposes.
The C172 is used for many roles, from flying training to border patrol (yes - really: the Irish Air Corps use them for this).
Before identifying potential improvements, first you need to work out what you want to use it for.
It's also worth bearing in mind that Cessna have been changing that design for most of those 60 years already.
That said, purely speaking from piloting enjoyment, yes, I'd turn it into a C182 !
G