Neils
I learned on PA28-140s, not quite as benign as the Warriors, but nonetheless very easy - your point is well made.
Nowadays I fly the 181 and the 201RT and find these to be excellent mounts for the low few hundred hour PPL who wants to grow into an old pilot!
I also agree with your comments about floating - its all energy management and the taper wing PA28s are princesses if flown at appropriate speeds - many people seem to arrive in a PA28-161/181 at 75kts and then wonder why she floats for ages, when the book speed says circa 65.