golf mk1 vs golf mk1 cabrio

I plan to buy a vw but not realy sure for what. I look on golf mk1, golf mk1 cabrio, golf mk2 and jetta mk2.How is the handling on the cabrio against the other cars if you put coilovers and some other goodies ? My plan is to build an 1,8t "retro" vw. Is it harder to swap an mk1 to 1,8t then it is in golf mk2 ?I think a cabrio 1,8t could be realy cool but if the handling sucks I dont know if it worth it.Please help me what do you guys think I should buy?