I have a 172 and the Mrs has a Puma (not FRP)
Puma:
Great seats - still probably the most comfy and supportive of any 'normal' car I have driven - and our Puma has 115k on it.
Great revvy engine - just fast enough to overtake and have fun in an everyday car.
Boot - hard to live with as difficult shape
Cheap to run - but as said the FRP has several expensive high performance parts. FRP body panels are very expensive as well so a minor ding could be £££
FRP will probably not loose money
FRP look great!
172:
Great day to day drive, loads of room, good boot, seats fold flat
Not as responsive as Puma - steering is noticably better 'fun' on Puma
Fast, I could see myself taking the 172 on the track but the Puma is better suited to B-roads - think the lack of grunt would fustrate me on the track
Newer ones will still loose money (why I bought a 172 over a 182)
172 look suble (unless modded) - I like the fact no one knows what is is.
My personal summary:
- if you want something 'special' I would go FRP
- if you want a decent everyday drive I would go 172.
The 'special' choice of 172 would be the cup - I love them but am enjoying the climate control in the 172.