2008 Civic SI Sedan with leather.

GTI with full leather interior

2005 TSX

 

Another vote for the Civic Si sedan!

 

TSX or IS300 if I wanted something with a badge, I question the day to day cost of any premium german brand but if you stay within the 3 and C segment, shouldn't be too bad, but not as good as a 4 banger, K series powered, sportier accord that is the TSX or the tried and true jz engine in the IS.
Another one you may want to look into are G35s, the sedans go fairly cheap (previous gen of course) and the coupes have also dipped into that range as well.

 

Civic Si sedan for sure! great gas mileage for a car with so many revs

 

G35 coupe

 

I vote TSX. Great cars w/ a little luxury.

 

Another vote for g35 coupe if only one car does it all.

 

Civic Si doesnt come in leather. Does it?

 

-> My choices:

New
- Honda Fit Sport =best pick=
- Honda Civic EX
- Mini Cooper
- Mini Clubman

Used
- 04-05 Acura [CL7] TSX
- 05-06 Honda Accord EX 6-Speed sedan =best pick=
- 05-06 Honda CR-V
- 04-05 Infiniti G35 series

-> If you don't want to lose money right away, then don't buy Germans.

 

I agree. If you're starting out, and you are young, don't get saddled by anything less than a cost effective reliable ride. After you're out on you own for a while and have some extra money, then think about something like a BMW or something similar.