Question is, is the ph1 better or worse than the ph2?
i could write a book on this assuming were talking about both 172s and not just ph1 and ph2 in general which id say ph2 is much better, feels like theirs a lot more than 3 years between them!
is this ph1 better than my ph2 172 was, no not really, i prefer the phase 1's cable throttle, it pulls really well low down but its a while since i drove my old ph2 so its hard to compair them, my ph2 was obviously quicker but that should be expected, this ph1 is really actually refined and quiet with the cat still fitted, the steering doesnt feel anywhere near as accurate BUT lets remember my ph2 172 had a full front end rebuild inc bushes, track rods, track rod ends etc etc so ill comment on that front once ive done that to the ph1.
over all tho im really happy i like the fact the ph1 is rarer and has 15" wheels and i love the front end