Go with the LHS. You will get more money back, and you will have a lot more torque and "get up and go" with the LHS's 3.5 than the 2.7. (The LHS wasn't available with the 3.3 was it???) Just wondering WHY you think its foolish to make our cars look, handle and accelerate better? I mean, why supe up any car? Because you like it, and want to like it even more. Thats what I think anyways. Just because our cars are large doesnt mean they are slow, or can't handle well. I have lowered my 97 Sport with a performance suspension system and it handles VERY well, especially for the size of the car. Now, its no sports car, but I love the handling on it. With respect to going faster, there are members on the forum with some very nice mods to their cars. This includes exhausts, intakes, ignition systems, and turbos. These cars can go quite fast, but it just takes a bit more money, determination, and imagination to do so. Hell, if you had the money, god knows what you could do with a RWD, 6-speed manual, twin turbo setup!!!
Welcome to the boards. I think you will like the intrepid or the LHS, but if you want a bit more power, go for the LHS.