I would continue with this thread, but I'm weird like that.

a new shell is going to be the way to go, but you have to accept the fact that even though your old car had a bajillion miles on it, it had a lot of car and work done to it to get it to the point where you remember it. Meaning, the new shell isn't going to feel the same until you put that same work and effort and care into it.
Actually, to be totally honest, it won't ever feel the same.
I've been there, done that too many times. You'll never get that original feeling back. Even if everything was built exactly the same, you're missing the "journey" you had to take to get the old car to that point and therefore, you are missing the emotional bond which is what gave that car "that feeling"
And that is why so many people will move on to a totally different car, or even give up building cars all together after they wreck their pride and joy. Even though so many of them like to boast the whole "its just a car" attitude about it, it is just their cover up for the emotional hurt, even if it is just subconscious. You can't be passionate about something, then turn around it be "just a car"
With all of that said, from a logical, and financial standpoint, a new shell is the only option.
If I were in your shoes, I would plan on the new shell needing a TON of work before you try to compare it back to the old car. Again, if it was my project, I would strip it all the way down and build back up. Strip it down, repair any rust/metal damage. Do any chassis upgrades you want/can/afford at this point. Some welding, bracing, and body fill goes a really long way. I would be really crazy about it and go over everything with a fine tooth comb. I would inspect the body harness and dash harness to see if anything has been tampered with/damaged. If it has, and it isn't going to be a easy fix, I would swap the harnesses. I would actually really consider swapping the harnesses anyway considering you "know" your old harness. (while everything is stripped out, this would be the perfect time for paint should time/budget allow) From there, it basically becomes a matter of "pick the best" You know the condition of your previous sub frame and suspension. But that doesn't mean you don't get lucky and get a new shell with better parts on it. Point being, don't just assume everything needs swapped. Don't over look anything, take your time and really inspect every little thing as you go. This is not the time to cut corners. It might save some time now, but it will effect the outcome and possibly cost you more in the long run.
Just be meticulous in the swap. I know it sounds "easy" Just unbolt everything, swap it out and boom you're done and ready for fun. It can be done that way, but then you'll be chasing all of the details that make all of the difference once everything is put together.
I'd say this is one of the worst kinds of projects to undertake when you are on a time constraint. IF you are on a time constraint and it has to be done in a certain a mount of time, then plan plan plan a head. Try to schedule and budget your time so you keep on track. The key to doing that, is to take some time and inspect everything the best you can, so you have as much information about what you are about to tackle before putting a wrench to it.

With all of that said,

SE hicas hatch - the hicas rack is neat cause you get more angle out of it. But, the rest of the hicus system can be a real pain and is usually just removed. The fact that it is SE means it should have all of the power options. To me, for a daily driver, that's a plus. But for a project like this, the condition needs to be taken into account. More power options means more wires that can be messed with. Did your old car have all of the power options? Are you prepared to swap all of the harnesses required to make sure the end result is flawless (or at least as flawless as possible) Is it auto or manual? Was it previously swapped? are you going to do the 5 speed swap? Are all of the little SE extras worth it when you take into account the extra work it may need?

Base hatch - I have mixed feelings about base models. I tend to say that the extras make for a more enjoyable daily driver, but my favorite 240 I ever owned was a base model and I think that's part of why I loved it so much. Call me crazy, but I missed the crank windows when I didn't have them any more. BUT, if I kept that car long enough, I would have wished I had the power options because of all of the cool stuff you can do with security systems. To me, the base model would only be an option if it was in amazing condition and required the absolute least amount of work to complete.

The Vert. - Verts are really neat because of the way the chassis was reinforced. They are supposed to actually be stiffer than their coupe counter parts. So from a performance standpoint, that's really cool. It is something that has always attracted me to the verts. The thing that has kept me from pulling the trigger.. the fact that it is convertible. You run the risk that the top has had problems before and leaked and soaked the interior. And you run the risk of it happening to you in the future. The convertible top is awesome, and all that, but it comes with a lot more work. Is all of that extra work worth it? That's debatable. My rule of thumb, is to assume that it is going to need work. Perhaps not right this second, but I would plan on to worst case, that it goes to hell as soon as you get it home. If you are on a tight time frame to begin with, then a convertible might be biting off more than you can chew, which is how I have always looked at it. I haven't ever had the time, nor the budget to allow me to buy a car I didn't "need" to fix it and build it up while I drove my other car, then did whatever swapping I needed in a reasonable time frame and get back on the road.
IF you do have that kind of a budget to work with, then most of that all becomes none issues.
If you can afford to buy the vert, get it home, tear it down, clean it up, fix everything, and make sure the chassis and the top are in tip top shape before pulling your car apart, then I'd do it. (if you really like the idea of a convertible)
(tid bit of caution, the convertible takes up a lot of space inside the car)
If you have a really awesome Budget to work with, then you could afford to buy whatever bits and pieces you need to get the suspension in tip top shape, get the chassis cleaned up, get the paint all sorted out, and get the top in great shape that way you have a rolling chassis that is in awesome shape, then all you need to do is swap the drive train.
It is either going to cost time, or it is going to cost money.

ok, enough of my rambling on and on.