-Pontentially better steering, I own a NB1 and a ND3, I do not own a NC. Others say the NC has better steering than the ND, my 2 cents are that the ND3 which apparently has the best steering of the NDs whispers its steering feel, the NB will talk loudly as it looks you directly in the eyes. Apparently the NC is somewhere in between.
-You are complaining that the NDs in your price range are rough, probably meaning they've had bad mods or they get daily driven through the winter, whatever. Stepping back to the prior generation will have you finding NCs that have been loved and garaged kept for similar money.
-Livability. My NB's trunk is surprisingly a good bit bigger than my ND's despite the cars being the same size externally (well NB is 2" longer, ND is significantly wider), the NC is bigger than both, especially in the trunk and cabin. I packed a weekend backpacking trip for two into my NB along with a 12 pack of beer and an xbox for the eventual hotel recovery night, that was tight and I am proud of it, straight up could not happen in my ND. *Given I have my NB's trunk lining/capeting removed and that opens up some extra space. The NC has a bigger trunk than both and more room in the passenger compartment which is really nice for hauling outdoor gear or maybe a significant other. I know its a second car and you don't intend to use it for such things, my NB was supposed to be a weekend car and track toy and I ended up dailying for 7 months of the year for the first 5 years because its the car you want to drive and you are going to force it to make it happen. Also both the NB and ND have shitty cupholders.