As a spectator to this post, and only having ever owned a 1.8 Manual Petrol A series, I don't have any experience of any of the cars you suggest you'd like to own.
But the answer lies in a lot that you don't actually say. For instance, what is your driving style ?
Are you a lead foot driver who likes the sound of an engine and getting to the next set of lights is paramount ?
Or are you a sedate driver giving your passengers a comfortable ride but you like to know there's plenty of power there to get you out of a fix if you need it ?
I had exactly the same dilemma when I bought mine, and had the choice of three cars -
A 1.6 very clean and had a terrible record for parts fitted (now I know that meant it had Limp problems etc. and I'm glad I didn't choose it) but it would have been the most frugal with petrol, unless you drive it every day like Mansell trying to wring the last bit of power out of it.
A GSI which had been attacked by a Body Styling Genius (he was a genius with Music - not Cars) and it would have taken me about a month of hard work to return it to a sensible state and about an extra £600 to have it resprayed in that lovely Blue colour. I'd also have had to drive it sensibly most of the time and only giving it a bag-o-beans every now and then to get the devil out of my blood.
I thought this was a tragic state of affairs for such a thoroughbred and left it to the guys who could afford to drive it as it should.
My third choice was the 1.8 petrol manual, and I'm truly impressed with it, as the Twinc is a real performer, and even with my heavy right foot it gives me 30mpg average with a mixed cycle of journeys every month. Under £60 for every three hundred miles.
The performance is really good when you open the throttle, and I've surprised quite a few people in cars they assumed would be the quickest. The body roll is not too bad when you've gotten used to it and it does handle well for what is essentially a Family Bus.
The ride is firm without being uncomfortable and with a set of After Market Alloys and some wider rubber on the road it should be even better handling wise.
I presume the Badging is important to you as you only mention the top ranges of the marque, but an unbadged version will still give you a lot of pleasure knowing that the 1.8 will still perform well and not kill your wallet stone dead.
Whatever you choose let us know, and have fun with it - Good Luck Mate
Stew