Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Ok ok ok, hear me out. I've settled on buying myself a volvo, preferably a v50, but possibly a v70.

I had actually settled on a fairly low specced v50 S 2.4i geartronic, as it wouldn't be THAT slow, would suit the mostly fully loaded motorway driving it'll be used for, and will have a fruity engine note.

Then i stumbled across a manual v50 t5 SE for £4k. Sounds decent: 2 owners, under 100k miles, full volvo history, manual, sport kit. The downside: headlight washer cover missing and towing eye cover missing (will be replaced prior to sale), all wheels cerbed, bumpers scuffed beyond detailing repair.

So now I'm in a swing:

1. Buy a cheap clean 2.4i (like this)
   
2. Buy the super cheap auto awd t5 on ebay and drive it straight to a specialist with a packet of cash to make it nice
   
3. Buy the 4k one above and tidy it up as and when i can
   
4. Stretch to 6k and buy an auto v70r
   
   

Is it ambitious to think its possible to make a high miler nice again for 3k of work with a specialist?
Is an auto v70r a let down?
Will i ever buy a car?