Hi FANS,
Some of the posters here have not picked up that you are considering a new (or new'ish?) C172.
All C172's now have the Lycoming engine and the 180 is fuel injected. Performance is about the same as an Archer but the economy is slightly better than the carb equipped Pipers. No risk of carb ice! Hot starting problems don't exist on the new Cessnas.
G1000 glass is now standard and has been an option since 2004. If you decide to go for one just a few years old with the conventional instruments make sure it has the optional KMD550 moving map. Great for situational awareness. G1000 can have traffic and many other options.
Fit and finish is outstanding and is a world away from the older models. There is more room in the Cessna over the Piper and having two doors is more convenient.
Before anyone jumps to the defence of the Piper, I have nothing against them. I owned an Archer for a while but Piper have not moved with the times as well as Cessna.
D.O.