I don't understand why your preference would be something you have to be careful about. Having an opinion on something in a forum where people are asking for opinions shouldn't be something you have to worry about. That's sad.
To the OP. I would have gotten at least a G27 (and more likely one of the Fanatecs). I bought a DFP and the wheel is better than say a Madcatz wheel, but the pedals are just dreadful. While the G27 pedals are nothing to brag about, they are a huge step up from the DFP. Plus, having the shifter is nice and the paddle shifters are light years better.
If I had to do it over again, I might have just saved up a bit for a Fanatec CSR package. I got my G27 on sale for a good price ($199) and at the time Fanatac wasn't doing the bundles, so the grass is greener.