You sound like a man with a plan, and thats always good.
Remember that, and I say this because it looks like you care about image, a diesel will always sound like a tank when you turn that ignition key. Does in my 08 Golf, does in our 3.5l ML. Thats the one thing I'd love to change about my car. The fact it'll climb anything at pace, doesnt need alot of revs to get going, and is a ****load of almost uncrashable fun (That ESP programme really helps... alot.)
If I was you, I'd go for a CRX, but then, I'm not, and you've got your heart set on this. So, and HDi correct me on this if I'm wrong;
You could do with finding a decent 2litre Turbo Diesel Ford engine, from something like a Focus. Anything without a Turbo will be severely underpowered, and you wont feel that surge of power. Also, Diesel engines remap really really well. For instance, if I chip my Golf it'll go from 140bhp to 180bhp, and the Torque will increase about 90nm.
Dont know how much this will set you back, though.
Hey, get some pictures up when you're happy with how it looks.
Good luck man,
Izo/Rob