EP3 FTW! It fits all the criteria you listed quite nicely.

 

I can't see an EP3 over a Focus SVT. The EP3 is a decent car but back to back the Ford was the better car.
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupe...conclusion.html
And Car and Driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/compar...vt_focus_page_4
These are some of the reasons why I would strongly suggest looking at a Focus SVT if you are considering the EP3.

 

I agree that the Focus one ups the EP3 in almost every way, but I don't have the balls to buy a used Ford.

 

-> The Focus SVT may be a decent car, but I can't get any points for its dreary (cheap) interior. Plus I'm not that all for Euro-detuned-for-US Focus. And I don't trust used Ford's that much.

-> One of the only advantage of the Focus SVT over the EP3 is you can get a 5-door version of it.

-> And I don't think he's planning on racing it.

 

yup the civic EP3 fits the bill. good MPG, FWD, large cargo area and sporty enough. ncie car but kinda hard to find in my area.

 

The leather is an option on the base. I went without the leather, i wasn't a fan either i live in the south.

 

Personally I don't think that generation's interior was that cheap in comparison to the competition. The cool thing about the SVT is it wasn't detuned at all. The SVT suspension, engine, brakes and basically all the rest were straight from the ST170.

The part about not trusting Fords is fair. I think their quality over the last decade has generally proven itself but I'm not the one spending the money. I admit to hesitating before buying my Contour SVT.

In addition to having the 5 door option, the SVT was the better driver's car. That doesn't just mean faster, in fact look at a Miata, it often doesn't mean faster at all. In this case it means the car who's chassis is a better road carving tool.

While I do strongly believe it's a better choice than the EP3 Civic, as I said, it isn't my money so I can't blame you for hesitating. However, I would suggest that test drives are free

 

Great responses especially from Vanishing Boy & rockville... thanks a bunch you guys.

We're gonna go for some test drives in the next month.

Anyone know about or have had experience with the Golf TDI MK4? Killer MPG and practicality. Issues I could think of... possibly reliability issues, hard to find.

 

I really like the look of the Protoge' 5 a kid I knew back in college had one, always was a fan of the styling.

That said, I'd choose either the EP3 or the RSX. I had a base RSX and it gave me no problems whatsoever. It got great gas mileage and the things it could carry made me a happy camper.

I'm also a fan of EP3s. I was very close to getting one but settled on the rsx instead. I like the look of the ep3 and I've heard nothing but good things about how comfortable the seats are and the dash-shifter.

 

EP3!!!