I'm 99% sure... Options

[JBone]

That I'll will no longer be an owner of a DSM (even though i can't believe that car could be considered one). I am either trading in the beast or selling it on ebay and I am debating which car I should get. I have narrowed it down to a ~99-01 cavalier (or sunfire), Focus ZX3, or (Gasp) a Civic. Tell me which of these you think would do fo me.

P.S. Don't think this is easy for me. I consider any of these cars I get as me settling instead of getting a turbo'd DSM

[Bannovr4]

The new J-body cars are decent on reliablity, but you'll find yourself very upset down the road if you want to modify it. Because you'll find that the J-body is the Civic of the Domestic world, everyone has one, and none of them haven't been modified by the owner. Sadly though, the amount of mods available for them is far less abundant and lower quality than that of the Civic.
However, the newest Civic is also a little pricey and the aftermarket is pretty sad so far for them. You can put on all kinds of bolt ons of course, but right now engine swaps, the staple of the Honda world, are not avialable. (yes i know there was an RSX motor swapped into a Civic SI, but that's a different layout than most)
Amazingly, the Ford Focus has been getting a lot of reviews for it's handling, and there is a burgeoning aftermarket for them. I consider them hideous and made by Ford, but they seem to be liked by the magazines and aftermarket.
You're asking about just those two cars, but i wonder how many vehicles have you researched?
As someone pointed out, Toyota's have the best reliablity in the modern car market. The Solara comes with a VVT-i motor ripe for sleeper status. The MR2-Sypder is probably the best $15k you can spend with a potent motor and drivetrain as well as a rag-top. The matrix promises to share an excellent aftermarket with the Celica since they share the same 6speed tranny and 180 hp VVT-I motors in their highest option package.
This has been a long post i see, but Just my review of these cars after some first hand experience and research. And hey, we wouldn't want you leaving the DSM community for something that you'll completely regret