Personally I'd go with a Subaru Forester 2.5 XT Sports Turbo and lower it (wish we got the STi version). LOVE how that thing looks
You can also probably get a '13-'14 Fiesta ST for around 20k. i work with someone who has a '14 and it's a peppy hot hatch with great gas mileage. yes Ford, but it's a well done car. same with the newer Focus ST's.
Or wait till the prices on the new 1.5T Civics come down and get yourself manual (the CVT auto sucks ass). the aftermarket support for those cars will get intense in the coming months. (plus, fun fact; Seibon featured a full prototype kit for the sedan at SEMA that was absolutely bonkers)
