A UK pilot with a newly earned private pilot license considered purchasing shares in either a PA28 Cherokee 140 or Evektor EV-97 for building flight hours. While trained in similar Piper aircraft, the pilot expressed a preference for the EV-97 due to its superior visibility, responsive controls, and lower operating costs of approximately half that of the PA28. The primary concern was whether the EV-97's simpler avionics suite would limit development of competency with industry-standard radio and navigation equipment typically found in more complex aircraft.