I'm in the strange position of owning a 172 but predominantly flying an Archer ('cos the 172 is leased to a club and is booked up most of the time!).
I won't repeat most of the points made 'cos they're all good and relevant. I enjoy the variety and like to feel that I can swop types and enjoy them for their own characteristics. I've taken the Archer into small strips - it demands more care on speed control, W&B and flap use than the 172 to operate safely from strips but it's OK. The C172 flaps make spot landings a doddle though.
C172s have less ADs and don't require periodic wing spar inspections. From that aspect they are a little cheaper to operate privately, so I'd say if the group & the a/c are good, go for it. You can always rent low wing to enjoy the Archer's virtues from time to time.