Personally id be looking at facelift ST's, shit load of bang for your buck, VERY safe as airbags everywhere iirc n-cap 5*...
And for 8-10k some serious low miler minters about and cared for heavily modded ones are a bargain.
... and it'll humble zee Germans, my op id get a five door although my 3door serves me well and I've had newborns up to grandparents in the back and it took it all on the chin and everyone says how comfy, spacious it is esp the boot...
You won't regret one, just maintain and enjoy the 5 pot