Sporty Hatchback for commuting?

[Kirwan]

I'm gonna have to retire my beloved Mustang convertible - at 200K, it's getting ready to die, and I just can't afford the gas bills anymore. But the fun/$ ratio will be tough to match.

My criteria are:
1. Fun; acceleration, cornering.
2. Cheap ($6K max), reliable, good gas mileage
3. Back seat for occasionally hauling the kids
4. Hatchback for occasionally hauling piles of stuff.

A this point, I'm just looking at:
90-93 Integra (don't like the later styles)
95+ GTI VR6

I had a civic, and while I'm sold on Honda reliability, I had a hard time staying awake in the thing. I've gotten used to having torque, so I don't know if the integra would do it for me.

What do you all think?

[crayzayjay]

If you want torque the VR6 looks to be the better of the two cars you mention.