a common statement i have heard. Get your license in a cessna, learn to fly in something else. Personally i like low wing aircraft although i doubt it make much differance, and i have had a couple of lessons in a piper warrior.

Several flying clubs are based at my local airport. They use a variety of trainers like the Cessna 150/2, Piper Warrior, Piper Tomahawk, Chipmunk, Piper Cub & even a Stampe biplane depending on what you want. The main advantage of the Cessna high wing trainers is that they are economical to operate & consequently cheaper to hire. High-wing trainers are reputed to be easier to fly although I've never tried one & can't say I understand why that would be. They are obviously all suitable for basic training or the clubs would not use them. All my own training was done in either biplanes or low-wing taildraggers which I obviously prefer.

The Socata Tobago is a nice-looking aircraft. I don't know how the rates compare with other flight schools in the US but if the price is reasonable & you can afford it I would say go for it.

I trained on both the Cessna 152 (high wing) and the Grob G115E (low), and can't really express much preference for training, except maybe better viz in the turn with a low wing aircraft...

From what I've heard and experienced, it doesn't matter what you start off in. I agonized over this myself at first, then found out later that it doesn't matter. As for which is better, I'm used to high-wings and find them suitable for VFR navigation (you can see more of the ground), but like others, I love the low-wing advantage in a turn (you don't have to lift the wing to see what's there on the inside of your turn).
However, I'd assume offhand that tach time in a Tobago would be more expensive than a Cessna. Yes? No? As for the Tobago being IFR-equipped, this is actually a good thing, as some simulated IFR ("under the hood" or with "foggles") will be required for your private cert. Other than maybe 2 VORS (one w/ILS), you're not going to see anything much different than in the typical VFR-only panel, so it's not like you'll be "ruined" for VFR flight after training in an IFR-equipped plane.
  Good luck and Happy Landings!!

There's two very good pro-high wing things I've forgotten: shade and ease of checking flaps, aileron hinges, fuel sump, etc. However, unless you're tall, checking the top of the wing and the fuel tanks on a high-wing is a bit of a pain. But I'd rather climb than crawl anyday.
  As you can see, it's not a question of which is easier to fly, safer, or whatever- it's all about the little things, not having to do directly with flying.

I too have flown both high-wing and low-wing, and really can't decide which I prefer.  I LOVED the roominess of the Warriors and their stalling characteristics.  I also found the cockpit environment to be a lot more comfortable.  (it also helps that I was flying an airplane that came from the factory only a few months prior)  The high-wings are also great bush planes.  You will never see a Warrior flying in the Idaho mountains unless it's cruising at 9,000 feet. lol  Preflight check for a highwing is also much easier, don't have to get down to try and see the landing gear. 

One draw back for the low-wing is the wings block the ground.  Can be tricky flying VFR trying to identify checkpoints and keep banking, losing time. 


For someone just starting, the differences are not important.  Once you move up however, you will notice many differences that we haven't even touched here and will find your favorite.  As for having the IFR panel, that can ONLY help you out later! lol  Honestly, the more junk you've got infront of you to destract you (at the beginning) and get used to (later on) the better.  That's one thing my first CFI was great at, he was always talking, pointing to things, just to get me to tell him to shut up!  And now, NOTHING bothers me in the cockpit, and if it does, I tell him/her to be quiet. 

Anyway, a bit longer than I was hoping, but hope it helps nonetheless.

And cheap this would not be. You can pick up a PPL in the US in a 172 or Warrior for under 5K easy these days. This guy wants $8300. Now I know a Socata costs more to run, but definetly not that much more.
As for the low/high wing debate. High wing tends to be more self-stabilizing (the weight is below and directly center the wings, which naturally sinks to the bottom, making the airplane wings level). Low wing tends to track better. My advice is go for the Capitol Air school. Could get good training there for more than likely less money.