Originally Posted by Jordo!

If AWD is a key concern, I think go for the Subaru or, if you can find it at a good deal, perhaps the Evo-X. Or, I suppose, a G37X (or whatever they're calling it now).

Other than those three, I think everything else consistent with your power and drivetrain preferences gets a bit pricey... as in, if you choose to pass on all three, a GT-R would be the next entry level car in keeping with these aims.

That's 6 figures... so, I say, look into a WRX, EVO, or G37X.