Mate, RS4 is by far the nuts car of the bunch. But you will be pushing to get a newish one in good nick for the money.

With you buying the car, are you expected to pay the maintainance? If so, sorry to say it but the RS4 and Monaro are both out of the equation.

I really wanted an RS4 or even a slightly older 911 turbo, but my budget (which was just a very small amount more) wouldn't comfortably cover the cost of service / tyres etc.

I would say the M3 is a cracking car which is still good on a budget. And you could test drive mine no problems.

The focus will be a cracking car though mate.

The only other car I seriously considered was a new fully loaded VXR Vectra.

Good luck mate, it's a minefield.