Pick car you would choose with this in mind...

Probably because it’s an Eclipse.

Anyway, I voted for the M3 because it’s the only RWD car on your list. If you get serious about a E36 (or any bmw) you should sign up on bimmerforums and get some more info on them. They’re great cars and really do handle well with some minor mods. They’re a lot of fun to drive too. They don’t make a good “straight line” car as it’s tough to make a lot of power with them and their are limited in tire width (255 in the stock body work). But it sounds like you’re more interested in handling so that shouldn’t be too much of a worry. The drivetrain is pretty bullet-proof, in all honesty most E36 M3’s that are off the road are because of wrecks not blowing up. My buddy’s was going strong at 170k miles (still dynoed 20X RWHP which is just about right for the stock 240HP) until he wrecked it. There are some parts that will fail though: Cooling system, you should look for one that has an entirely new cooling system (rad/water pump/hoses etc) or realize you’ll be doing them soon (the upside is the parts are cheap since they are needed every 60k miles or so on any E36). The “guibo” will fail (just look it up), but again cheap. The lower shock mounts will fail in the back. The rear lower control arm bushings will fail also. Etc.

-TJ