Weekly - What Car Should I Buy Mega Thread

So i'm going through a bit of a crisis at the moment.

I am 25, just moved to Southern Maine from NH with a new job. I live with my GF and our combined salary's are fairly solid for a couple of our age. My commute to work is 2.5 miles or about 10 minutes of driving. I have a 99 Camry with 155,000 miles that i put $600 into to pass inspection in April then 1 month later put another $800 when it threw a timing belt a week before I moved (awesome timing there...get it?).

Here is my crisis, I want a newer car. My budget is about $15,000ish and i'd like an automatic transmission. My instinct says get a smart certified pre-owned Corolla, Elantra, Sentra, Accord, Camry, or Civic. That's the safe bet, my favorite kind of bet.

I'm 25 though and I have no kids. I've never owned a fun or fast car. I've barely ever driven a car that is even remotely exciting. I keep thinking that this is the time to make a slightly questionable decision. Step away from the safe and get something fun.

So /r/cars, what car should I buy? Is there anything that is reliable and fun?

/r/cars Thread