I also fly out of Newtownards (assuming as posted by Cows Getting Bigger that that is where the OP is flying from) and had a first outing in the P2002 last Friday (having trained in the C172SP and subsequently flown the PA28 and - briefly - the C152).
There are cetainly differences, as already mentioned the controls are more sensitive. That once you've got used to the stick (if you are used to flying an aircraft with a yoke). Trim is electric only. It appears much more "nose down" when flying S&L, in fact for any flight attitude, so there are new 'pictures' to be learned. Also look out for the throttle friction lock which when loosened defaults to FULL throttle unless you hold it back
. Performance is good considering only 98bhp (and it's in the order of £30 less to hire than a C172).
Aside from all that it was a load of fun
.
All first impressions of course.
As for conversion time, well I spent an hour on GH (including steep turns & stalls) as well as general familiarisation. Instructor reckons another hour concentrating on circuit-bashing should be sufficient to get signed off for solo hire.