I really have a hard time recommending these types of airplanes because ultimately they are boring to me. I fly mainly for fun and the planes you are looking at are not really what I think of as fun having been immersed in general aviation for nearly 20 years. Most airplanes I lust after however would not be good beginner planes and/or are not four (or even two) seaters.
I think you should simply buy a midtime engined 172 and then as/if you get more involved with attending local fly-ins, EAA chapters etc you will likely become infatuated with antiques, homebuilts, aerobatic or go fast planes. At that point you can simply keep your 172 as the family "truckster" and buy a second "just for fun" airplane.
IMO, that is the "best" plan.
Any other plan just simply does not sound good to "me".