for about 4 grand you'd be lookin at a 96 import integra, maybe a uk 98 spec with high milage!
I used to own a import prelude vtec, it was a wicked car, can pick them up for peanuts now too!! insurance isn't too bad if you shop about!!
i think the mk4 TDi's are probably better than you'd imagine, most of the petrol models are a little under powered but the diesels, especially the PD, have bundles of torque!! The 130 TDi is supossed to be the better of the lot .