Adding a little more weight[better engine,more power]plus a little weight in the tail[might not even be nessessary what with the of shifting componts possiblity]simply puts the plane in a little higher class weight wise making it a little easier to handle, not being so underpowered and more pleasent to fly. If it takes a llittle more finess to fly it so be it.
The average person will not know the difference and will adapt without knowing it. I don't believe the little bit of difference in landing performance will be that signifient and it would make it a heck of a lot better on takeoff's which incidently would relieve a lot of stress on the airframe and landing gear.I just hate to fly a plane that can hardly get off the ground and then mushes around the sky like the first wrong move will cause it to stall. A small amount of extra power can mske a big difference even to a student who is usually starting from scrstch anyway.