depends on what you want, if you want something newer and nice. look at the new jetta TDI's, the TDI cup edition is extra awesome...
if you want something newer and good in snow, id look for a bmw 335xi, i dont know if they are down to the 25k range yet, but i know ive seen plenty for under 30. or if you dont want awd get the 335i. rwd is always better when its not snowing. both are very fast and handle extremely well. and for the money its soooooo much better than an STI or new wrx.
if you want something a little more "hardcore" look at evo 8's and 9's. skip the sti, when you have an evo as an option there is no reason to go for an sti. the evo is better in pretty much every way. and you wont look like just another douche sti driver.
r32's are a good choice too. the first gen is better, ive driven both, the first was one of the funnest stock cars ive driven, and the newer one was just meh, it was quick but just wasn't exciting and felt kinda numb.
you could even look at early 90's porsches, dont think they are unreliable, cause they arent. porsches are tanks. my friend works at a dealership that sell's porsche, audi and vw's. and he says porsche's are almost always the most reliable.. i know a kid with an 80's 911, he's had it for 4 years now, and he hasnt had to take it in for anything other than regular maintenance.
an early 90's carrera 4 would be an amazing ski car, its awd, tough as hell, and just overall awesome. even the RWD ones are great in snow. since the engine is in the back, they are actually some of the best 2wd snow cars out there.
so there's some choices, tell us a little more about what exactly your looking for and it will make it much easier.
