The ferring’s are the shrouds around the wheels. I don’t like the look personally, I like the open wheel look 
As for the “space age gadgets” it’s also a good introduction to start learning how AP works.
That’s how I am using it. Started with 152 Asobo, jumped to JPL but still hand flew for a large number of hours to practoice navigating VOR’s, and basic flight, take off landings, flying headings etc…
Then once I was comfortable with all that, started to learn the Autopilot. It’s nice to learn on an aircraft where things happen a bit slower and the cockpit is less busy. Will make stepping up to the 172 a bit easier.