Sora R3000 9sp shifters are nice and have cables under the bar wrap.
Sora 3500 shifters work fine but arent as smooth as other 9sp shifters Ive used.
Tiagra 4500 9sp shifters are smooth and have a good feeling hood shape.
105 5500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.
Ultegra 6500 9sp shifters are very smooth shifting and have a good feeling hood shape.

Ive used all of the above Shimano 9sp shifters. Currently, family road bikes have 3500, 4500, and 5500 shifters on them. The 4500 and 5500 shifters are on my kid's road bikes and they just work well, even with the age of the shifters and how kids handle bikes sometimes.

I would rather buy some 4500 or 5500 shifters in great condition vs some new old stok 3500 shifters.

As mentioned- I would most likely consider Microshift(micronew) r9 shifters instead. They are dirt cheap compared to Shimano 9sp shifters and they work well. The hood shape is different and though I like it, the shape may not be loved by all. I actually like the shifting process of 2 dedicated paddles.
https://www.amazon.com/Microshift-Do.../dp/B00SRL241C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Micronew-Ro...r/254190815942