[quote=“dawn”"]
Ok, so there’s big talk coming from my mom that I’ll be getting a car around the fall. I have about $4000 to work with, and whatever she throws in. (Probably won’t be much, knowing my mom.) So, I’ll be looking at “new” cars.
Here’s the thing though, I’m stubborn as fuck, and I want my car to be 5sp. and most likely AWD. And it has to be a sedan or a coupe. I can not drive a wagon (or outback…) And I don’t mind if parts are expensive. I’m used to it. I just want a nice car. Yeah.
Let’s just say for shits and giggles that I’ll be working with around $9,000.
What do YOU think? Name a car, and write a reason why you think this is a good decision.
(Try and not say honda, kthnx.)
[/quote]
What no wagons! 
Anyways for the more useful part of this post:
Early 90s Subaru Legacy Turbo Sport, assuming you can find one and Mike (Not poll Mike) doesn’t buy it before you do. 
A Subaru 2.5RS, 2 or 4 door which ever you prefer. If you want something to toss around in turns that isn’t terribly fast. Expensive to make fast in a straight line.
Subaru WRX a bit outside your budget, but if you look hard enough finding a high mileage one for 10k is possible. But easy to mod, and inexpensive to maintain. While being reliable even with a lot of miles.
Audi A4 (1.8t or v6) again not that fast but they are fun cars. Expensive to mod.
Audi TT, well maybe not.
Audi Coupe, way much hotness, though really expensive to mod/maintain. Hard to find to boot.