I need to buy a car as well, but I've only got $10-11K to spend. I totaled my Focus at the end of last year and have been too lazy to go car shopping.
My short list is:
1. Ford Focus
2. Mazda 3
3. VW Golf or Jetta
I prefer four doors (and a wagon would be dreamy!). I've got Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel to read by Wednesday, but maybe I can start looking next week.