First Car Recommendations?

I could use some advice. I am have about 7 thousand saved up to spend on my first car. I have always loved BMW and was looking at e46s. I decided I probably couldn't afford to maintain one. I then started looking at Ford Focuses, because I heard that they are decent cars. I ended up in one as it one of the cars my driving school uses. I didn't like it much. So in short, I need a few recommendations. A small car, with decent handling, doesn't have to be powerful, actually I would prefer something with very manageable power, and sub-7k. Oh, and something with a manual transmission is better, I prefer driving manual to automatic. Hope this isn't too much. Thanks in advance. One more thing - not a honda civic. I'm sure at least a couple people will say civic anyway.