How I'd do it -
Private: C152, or 172 if you/you're instructor are bigger
Get your private on an aircraft with steam gauges
Instrument: C172, steam gauges. If you can fly instruments on steam, it will be easy to transition to Glass. Not so true the other way around.
Commercial: 172RG or Arrow, doesn't matter
Multi: Seneca or Seminole or Duchess, go with the cheapest and/or most available