Not saying it being mean or anything but it looks like your car probably needs more money invested to get it straightened out compared to the Lexus.
The 5-speeds are hard to come by. Try finding one under 9k it ain't easy. And swapping to a 5 speed in those cars is expensive, that is if you decide to pass this deal up and pick up an auto later or something and must have a 5 speed...And as far as sportiness they ain't like fast or nothing but they get up and go. A lot faster than the automatic ones.
And I've owned 5 KA motors to the one 2JZ motor I own and would work on a 2JZ any day over a KA. NA or TT it don't matter those engines are a cake walk. The over the top manifold is not as hard as it looks, I can have it and the plugs out in maybe 15-20 minutes taking my time lol.
There is something in your mind that tells you, you want it. Just do it. And if you don't like it just sell it later.
Here is a pic of my roommates car to give you some peer pressure.
