Sporty Subaru Legacy would be good, heard that it's better than the Impreza! Not chav in the slightest either.
I don't like beemers either however the 330i is good and the 330d is rapid - I wouldn't discount a diesel until you've tried it! Also M5 if you'll go a few years older - 400bhp and RWD.
Audi A4 (The S4 please...) is good however not too roomy in the back! I tried a 3.0 quattro and it was pretty decent.
I'm not a hatchback kind of guy so I don't get excited about them. Think that the A3 is overpriced however the R32 is nice!