No worries at all and no need to apologize - although I appreciate you doing so, necessary or not. Very cordial and polite and I always like that!
And to support your many good points, I'll reiterate for the OP:
1) Neckdive (bass not staying in 'playing position' and requiring your left hand (fretting/fingering hand) to also support the instrument = WALK AWAY. Nothing but cramps, poor technique and other non-good things come from basses with neckdive.
2) Comfort - If you know how you should hold and play a bass properly - ergonomically and technically, make sure the bass you are trying feels right based on that - not just how it feels when held or fondled. I could wrap a bass entirely in velvet and most people would go "oh... that feels soooo goood!" but as for being the right bass for you? Probably not...
3) 5 strings or not? If you feel like you want to play a 5 - find a five that fits your budget ;-), doesn't have any obviously egregious design flaws (neckdive, sharp edges, twisted neck, anything that cannot be corrected by a simple setup) and go for it!
5'ers are fine instruments that provide you a lot of opportunities. They are different in some ways from 4's, but where it counts, they are all the same and can be used equally effectively from almost all of your electric bass playing needs.
