i dont think some of yall read him right here ill help ya out.
I want good handling of course but I want a fast car also. For cheap of course.
Unless your going to put a turbo in it, a civic wont be that. Look at a older turbo dsm Or even a mx5 miata. There not fast but there pretty quick and you can do a sr20det swap or a 13bt swap later on if you get the money.
For the price range there one of the best handling cars if not the best you can get.
and yeah get a manual, you will be glad you did later on.