An s4 audi could be a compromise?
But for me a £5k scoob won't give you any hassles at all and the evo's starting to get to chav chariot money now and they seem to rot to cossie levels. My classic impreza flew the mot every year without a hint of rust or welding on it and it never got particularly well cared for.
You won't be able to drive either car near its limits so I wouldn't get too hung up on what has marginally better handling or straight line power.