[Porsche-O-Phile]

Sage advice.

Take your time and get time in each.

I'm personally a low-wing guy - love 'em, but the venerable C172 is about as bulletproof, simple and reliable as you can get. You'll have no problem getting students to fly in it if you're looking to do leaseback and defray your costs.

My $0.02:

Cessna - great, reliable, gravity-fed fuel system (no pumps to fail), proven reliable. Cheap insurance, cheap operating costs, good visibility, everyone out there has time in 'em, etc.

Piper - most of the same characteristics as the Cessna. Looks like a "real airplane". Easier to get ice/snow/crap off the wings IMHO than the Cessnas (try clearing ice off the upper surface of a Cessna some morning when it's 25 degrees out!) Visibility not quite as good for sightseeing pax. Rock solid stable IFR platforms. Worries about fuel pumps are generally overstated (electric w/ mechanical backup). Usually fuel issues are someone forgetting to switch tanks - proper training will burn this into your head.

Mooney - my personal faves. Did my Commercial and CFI/CFII in a M20J way back when. Super fun, quick, efficient. The Porsche of light singles - great numbers and good looking. Tight on space as has been mentioned. Insurance (especially for a low-time, new pilot) will be a deal-breaker.

Shopping for airplanes is fun! I'm in the market too - another few months... Gotta' pay some bills first!