@RSky welcome to the awesomeness that is RenaultSport. The easiest way to answer your questions and I'm sure a nice fellow owner might offer once all is settled down there is go for a drive in a 3. They can be very addictive. We just upgraded without even looking at other brands.
We have had our 250 Cup Trophee for 8 years now and it is an amazing bit of kit. For the money you can get into a 2nd hand variant nothing comes close for fun factor and community love. We regularly drove the 8 hours up to Parkes in ours and it was never a task or arrive being sore from the Recaro leather seats. And yes mate they are the real deal. Top quality leather. Look online and see how much 2nd hand leather Recaro CS seats still fetch.