Picking a nit here... but a "C-140" is common vernacular for a Cessna
140. A high-wing, two-seater taildragger from days of yore when
aviation was still magical and electric starters were just barely
beginning to be viewed as not for sissies anymore. Referring to a
Cherokee 140 as a C-140 is horribly incorrect.

Having said that, a Cherokee 140 is indeed a fine first airplane for a
new pilot. They do tend to be more affordable to purchase and maintain
than a C-172, and if you only consider the two front seats, a Cherokee
140 actually has more room than the Cessna 172. Its front seat area is
wider and you have noticeably better shoulder room between the pilot
and co-pilot seats. The back seats are a different story. A C-172 back
seat is rather uncomfortably cramped and can hold an adult but a
Cherokee 140's back seat just simply sucks, usually an adult has to sit
sideways to keep his knees out of his chest. I've flown hundreds of
hours in both, but if I'm solo or only have one pax, then I'd rather
fly the Cherokee any day. The single door of a Cherokee has never been
a "turn-off" for any of my passengers yet. The Cherokee usually is a
tiny bit faster than a C-172 of same horsepower, and when solo and full
of fuel, the Cherokee has much greater range. The only time I'd rather
be in the C-172 would be if I have a real engine-out and am forced to
land in a tight space. The Skyhawk can land much slower and shorter
than a Cherokee can.