Well I know I'm biased, and I don't care if I get flamed for it...but have you ever considered a 2000+ celica GT-S ?

2000 GT-S you can get for 9k now-a-days, get a supercharger or turbo, and have 250-300 whp in a 2500lbs car for 12k.

They have a rep for not making good power and not having many mods, or being a girlie car (not a problem for you), but the aftermarket is starting to catch on, and I don't think they're as played out as integra's or wrx's.

Definitely NOT knocking on integra's or wrx's...I looked at buying them too.