So, I was cruising back from work in my Corrado (automatic) and
realized that I probably really should start thinking about a
different commuter car. My Corrado has been nicked several times (and
repaired) and some of it's wiring chewed on by animals (and repaired).
But...15 years and a few things are beginning to add up (vents spew
out the remains of the foam rubber, cruise control doesn't work, and
with 80K miles on it, I probably should be getting a timing belt.)

So I decided to browse the new car market a bit. What I want is a
sporty looking little car, preferably with 4 wheel drive, manual that
gets decent gas mileage (my Corrado get about 22mpg, though I've
gotten as much as 30 mpg on flat terrain (MD Eastern Shore). So
something between 24-30+ mpg would be what I'm shooting for. Manual by
preference, but auto tolerable. All for $30K. (Dream on....)

Jag X-Type would have been nice, but they discontinued it.

The VW Eos is intriguing, but the looks (inside and out) aren't quite
right, plus I'm not sure you can get 4wd with it.
The VW R32, I can't get over the revised looks (which I hate). I took
me a while to like the Golf 4, but this new style is just plain ugly
in my opinion.

Volvo C70 is similar (hardtop convertible)

Audi A4/S4/RS4. Pricey. and the fuel economy is pretty bad. The TT's
styling leaves me wanting more.

Lotus Elise/Exige. Snifty, but no 4wd (and even more pricey).

Subaru WRX STI. Hmm, revised looks I like. 4 door with a fairly roomy
rear seat. Subaru has improved their interiors a lot since I last
looked. But the fuel economy isn't up to snuff (23 hwy on the
2.5turbo). Might have to consider one of the lesser WRX models, though
I like the styling on the STI better.

Mitsu Lancer Evolution. Even poorer fuel economy

Looks like the Mazdaspeed isn't offered with 4wd in the U.S. of A.

BMW 328xi BMW had lovely styling in the 90s. They must have hired a
lot of ex-Japanese auto-stylers in recent years. Not pretty. They also
get you on all the lovely add-on packages, otherwise the base models
are fairly affordable ($35K). Unfortunately there is no 135 model with
all wheel drive.

Mercedes C300 4matic. Again, base model (black paint/black non-leather
interior) is only $35K. Everything else starts upping the price tag,
sigh.

Porsche Carrera 4? Way too expensive.

Mini? Isn't my idea of sporty