[Brother]

I wouldn't buy until you find out that you have a pure love of flying. Cessnas are ridiculously slow so their utility is limited. If you fly for a while and decide you just love "flying", then take the plunge. Otherwise, hold off and just rent.

Being a military aviator, I can't think of anything more boring than civilian aviation. Of course, I don't have the pure love of flying. I like flying "with a purpose". Doing something while your flying is much better for me but I don't think I realized this until I was well passed my private liscence.

Just my opinion, take that for what its worth. Of course, as long as you maintain it, the airplane's value won't drop. In that way, it is kind of like your porsche.