Folks like to call out the Cessna 172 due to it's perceived safety. The Fuel selector in that model is positioned on the floor at the base of the center console; not in the normal cockpit scan. It has left, right and both positions. There have been accidents where the selector was placed in a position other that "both" and the pilot ran out of fuel even though gauges are right in front of their eyes. Know your plane!
I have owned and flown both of these aircraft. They are both good at what they do...they are made for different missions really. But operating any aircraft requires a level of proficiency in aircraft systems knowledge and use. That is the idea behind transition training and why that is a prudent by thing to do.
Just my opinion.