250 hp is fine with me. It's more than any car I have previously owned. That said, I have owned much lighter cars with a perhaps better power to weight ratio. But in this day and age of "stunt driving" charges, I'd rather not have to bail my car out of an impound lot.
The transmission issue surprises me. It sounds like a simple bushing fix, but maybe the engine harshness is transmitted through the linkage? Perhaps, the flexible linkage is a compromise?
The other bugaboo is the staggered wheel size. I will buy a car for year round usage. Staggered wheels and snows is a PIA!