A vq engine is about 30-40 kgs lighter from what I can find. For a bigger power NA I would go the LS motor since there is a stupid amount of aftermarket support and cheep spare parts. But for a normal more reasonable power output 200-230kw mark the vq vh motors with some mods might be the way since they're lighter.
In saying that though, he says "the car for is just cruising and maybe some track fun" a bog stock LS motor will make enough power and will do that all day every day regardless of how you treat it. I'm not sure how much of a price difference a vq with mods costs compared to a basic stock LS engine. Oh well just some of my thoughts, guess it comes down to how far you want to go in the cost vs handling compromise.