Wrx or rsx type s or is300 for daily driver?

-So i am looking at wrx wagons the bug eye 02 or 03 . also looking at rsx type s and the is300 5 speed. i work full time and go to college at night 4 nights a week. in my free time i do outdoor stuff and i have a dog and take places. also would it be better to put half down and take out a loan from the credit union for the rest. i have about 12k saved but do not spend it all cuz i need to pay for college and need to get some teeth fixed. i was looking at 99 to 00 civic si or 95 96 nissan 240sx but hard to find with clean tittle and the si might get jacked . my dad said he sale me his 96 gti vr6 it was 73k on it but needs a waterpump soon and the check engine light is on. btw i can work on the car my self for the most part i know how to . advice