You could get a 6 speed GTI for $25K. Is that over your budget? I'm still not sold on the Korean cars.
The GTI model I would want (SE, 4-door, 6-speed) would have an "out-the-door target price" of $29,602 according to Kelley Blue Book (that includes taxes and all fees). The car I am buying (Forte5, SX, 6-speed, Style Package) will have an out-the-door price of $22,314. A Mazda3 equipped the way I would have wanted (S Touring) would run $24,160 out the door.
I have no problem buying a Korean car, considering I've been driving one (a Hyundai) for 12 years. The Korean cars also assuage concerns with longer warranties. Mazda and VW offer 3/36 bumper-to-bumper warranties and 5/60 powertrain warranties. Kias and Hyundais come with 5/60 b-to-b warranties and 10/100 powertrain warranties. At the same point a Mazda or WV is going entirely off warranty, the Koran cars are just going off the b-to-b.