Needs to be sporty, fast, stick.

Is the RX8 my only choice? (I know it's not a sedan, but it's close)

 

wrx. lots of mod potential and you gotta love the awd + turbo.

 

there are like 10 very viable options... the wrx, evo, legacy 2.5gt, or mazdaspeed 6 being a few

 

TSX, if you are willing to trade some power/handling for luxury/resale value.

 

g35x with the amazing attessa ets

 

TSX 6-speed, around $27k add a little modding and it is decent performer...

 

EVO RS

 

sure if you like roll down windows and manual door locks.

true essence of suped-up-econo-box

 

you can probably get a 2004 leftover over even a 2005 regular Evo (not RS) for about $30k....

the MSRP on the RS is under $30k, but i am sure you can negotiate a GSR version down to close to $30,000.

last I checked TSX, RX8's were not "fast", unless you compare them to diesel automatic vw rabbits.?

 

TSX is the best all around new sedan under $30k, hands down.