Too many people are giving looks as the reason for choosing the 172, yet the original question was something along the lines of "if image wasn't an issue", was it not?
But thats not a real world opinion anyone holds. If image didnt matter Fox would own an Audi...
You cannot simply remove a variable because it messes with your argument? Its like saying "is an M3 really better than a 320i Sport, ignoring power and performance?"