I don't think i can add anything that Craig, Mike and James haven't already put forward.
The 172, esp. yours is a great wee car, but that’s all it is, and it's now become a cheap, very affordable wee weapon...(I see alot of young guys buying them, paying way over the odds on insurance, never driving them because they would rather sit in a carpark as that’s all their fuel quota will allow!)
It's defo a car you have to have to say you've had one. I spend alot of time defending the car on here when in reality i don't have it. I know it's a superior car to the 172...I've had both, i know it's better ontrack, offtrack, i know it's faster/quicker, i love the looks, and I’ve modified in a way that imo has enhanced it but kept it factory fresh.
The car has so much soul, it is useable everyday as mike and Craig can prove, however, i chose not to. Its weird, i would rather get a 50k Z4M dirty and not wash it for 2wks but i couldn't drive the vee dirty...Bizarre. No sense to it.
The costs of the Vee are minimal compared to other top marques. It's marginally more on fuel that a 172. Say another 100£ a month. Depending on your mileage, tyres are again a fraction more...Nothing to cry about.
The big service is of course expensive, but just buy one which has had that vital belt change.
I've never moaned about the turning circle...I mean who gives a monkeys that you have to do an extra stab at getting into a TIGHT space...Big deal. The lack of boot...Well, you can use the passenger footwell if it allows, or the luggage net in the back...It's surprisingly big.
If you lived up here, i'd happily give you the car for a long as you'd need to make up your mind! - I would bet you a pint, it would only take you a day to make up your mind!!!