@Judicialfury
Actually, it's Japanese!
---Technically :)

Out of the ones you listed, I would go with either the Civic, Jetta/Golf, or Protégé. I have driven a 1999 VW Jetta a couple of times (Wolfsburg Edition, five speed manual transmission) and it drove great. The problem with VW's is that there seem to be a ton of lemons out there, and even those that aren't require diligent maintenance.

If you know how or have the opportunity to learn to drive a manual transmission between now and then, I would definitely recommend going that route, especially if you end up picking up a Civic/Protégé/Jetta. Better fuel economy, MASSIVELY increased fun factor, and chicks are usually impressed with guys who can handle a stick :P Plus, most carjackers can't drive them so they help with security!

Yeah, I drive my dad's '09 Jetta (last generation body style) and it drives amazingly well, especially for a car in its class. Audi made it handle like... an Audi... That's why I've been looking into the older Jettas. And I can drive stick, but I definitely need more experience in balancing the gas and the clutch when accelerating from a dead stop lol. But I completely agree, stick is the way to go.

It took time for even the best of them to really get the method down!

As far as some of the other cars you mentioned...I know the older Pathfinders were available with a manual. I've always thought the first generation ones with three doors (and the 5MT) were super cool. The 4Runner was available with a manual for the first two generations for sure, and possibly the third gen, but I've never seen one.

I know you have already negated any American cars (and I honestly don't blame you), but the first generation Ford Focus was actually a pretty good car. Don't know what the reliability is like, but they were pretty good driving cars and available with a manual.

Why is that so cheap?

"Reserve Not Met"

Dang just spent 2500nzd on a bike shoulda bought that!!

"Reserve Not Met" In other words, the car never will sell for that amount of money. Multiply that price times 100, and you'll get closer to what that Quattroporte will sell for.