For a first car I would say don't bother. Lack of experience means you will pay a huge premium and you may well smash it to bits.

Get a shitter for 12 months to gain you a years no claims bonus and more importantly a little bit of experinece and then get one.

BTW I would get the 1.6 CVH engine as they are a doddle to do DIY and make more power and torque than the larger capacity cars