I learned to fly in a Cessna 152. On one day a C152 was not available, so I had the lesson in a very old 1960's PA28 with a trim handle in the roof, ASI in MPH and of course the handbrake flaps and I really did not like it. I was happy to be back in the 152 on the following lesson, although this was prob. just a case of a student pilot flying something that he was not used to.
All these basic SEP aeroplanes are quite like for like I think, although I've heard the Piper Tomahawk is a good trainer, however a bit like Marmite.
First flight post PPL was my check flight in the Cessna 172S (180hp) which I found to be a natural progression from the C152, my 'differences training' was just over an hour.
I did my IMC rating in a C172P (160hp), it did not really feel that much different to the S model, maybe slightly less right boot requred on climb out, but still a suprisingly capeable a/c (ok you Cirrus and TB20 pilot's are prob. laughing at me for saying that
).