Originally Posted by sevenstrokeroll
oh, and if you want to really think ahead, the piper arrow has a much nicer system than the comparable cessna retractable...
I couldn't agree more - I really don't see any disadvantage of having a free-fall emergency gear extension.
Both PA28 and C172 are good aircraft, each has its advantages and drawbacks, but if I had to vote it would be PA28. Low wing - excellent visibility (for safety, not for passengers taste), manual flaps, one of the easiest aircraft to land (both straight and tapered wing), no need to use carb heat for normal landing, rudder trim (though I think it's optional in C172), L/R fuel selector*, normal refueling, good RG (PA28R) - it beats C172 in my opinion.
* - when you do fuel balancing on C172 in cruise and forget the selector to L or R and then make turns during the approach, only then you see the real value of L/R fuel selector. Also, when people convert from Cessna or even from two-seats with single tank, they don't have a clue how to use aircraft with L/R fuel selector. They see it as an on/off switch.