IS300! Super reliable, great fun to drive, very good crash rating, and they can now be had easily under $10k. I've had mine for 5 years and I have had ZERO problems. Honestly. Though if you do get one, use the W55 (which is the stock manual trans), people on the IS forums frequently say the W58's gearing doesnt work with the IS, unless you change out the rear diff
Or a Volvo 850 turbo. Definitely a wolf in sheeps clothing. Im picking one up after im done with college for a DD, you can get a good example for under $5k. They are also incredibly reliable, some dont like the styling (I love boxy Volvos) but its a handsome car, not too bad to drive (iPd makes alot of great upgrades for it) and, its a Volvo, so you know its built like a tank if you were to ever get in a wreck