3 cars that are not on the list that might be some good to think about?
MK5 Golf TDI (140) and a Clio 172/182

i would like to say the Skoda Faba VRS on that list because you can up the power quite a lot and still get shitloads MPG
but cos it has a shit dash and no climate control, the inside is well GAY but as a + point, they do hold their value pretty well and fuel is great

i would say id pick the DC5 just because i think it looks fucking great. doesnt really need mods, and if it really does that MPG its the bollox for a petrol performance car plus should be reliable, and should also hold its value for resale in the future, cant really fault them. they do also have the cheap effect on the interior, but what jap cars dont

i love the S3, if you buy a standard one and you like modding, youd probs go crazy on it as its turbod, and end up spending alot more than you probably want to
i notice that a standard one doesnt seem to stay very standard for very long with most owners, as its a few years old now and the mods are pretty affordable

on the list, id narrow it down to 3 cars on there taking into consideration what youve mentioned at the start of your post! in this order

1. DC5
2. S3
3. Fabia VRS