What are some decent automobiles for college/university students?

I currently drive a Honda Accord which I strongly dislike. To me, an Accord embodies the type of car that a senior citizen would enjoy taking to a Sunday bingo tournament, to later be handed down to an unsuspecting grandchild who is forced to embrace "safety features". I know that reliable, economy cars are strongly for many students (such as a Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or another Accord), but I have no interest in boring cars like that.

I'm in the market for an older, sporty car that I can have some fun with. An example of this would be a 1985 Toyota Celica that I saw for sale on the web. A car like this is very inexpensive, and has unique qualities to it that you simply can't find in most of the boring cars you see driven by young people.

To be clear, I'm the one paying for it.

Don't. Just don't. That 30yr old celica is on its last legs so unless you constantly have 2-3K in the bank for a new tranny or motor don't. That car is bad news. I bet you will pay for the car TWICE in the first year you own it. Right now suck it up and drive the accord then when you get out of school and start making money THEN go get a different car. Maybe use that accord to better yourself rather than ruin.

There are good reasons for driving a "very average" car like a Honda Accord. For one thing, it isn't the car of choice for ricers, so it has fairly good statistics for accidents and safety so the insurance is affordable. There are smaller cars that may seem less expensive purely based on gas mileage, but if you factor in insurance costs they may be more expensive overall cost of ownership.

For now, just treat it as a trasnportation appliance, it gets you from point A to point B without much trouble. Wait til you are over 25 years old before looking at higher performance cars, as insurance costs settle down some as you reach age 25.

Mr2 Mk1 or Mk1, Scirocco Mk1 or 2, Volvo 340 or 360

There are no cars designed specifically for students.
there's no car particularly more suited to a student than any other.

For an older cheap sports car, Id go with the early 90's late 80's Pontiac Trans Am. They are fun to drive, lots are for sale now, they are cheap, big v8 engines, and some models have t-tops! Id also take a look at 80's or 90's Camaros and Mustangs. They did but v6's in some Mustangs, so if your not into a v8, then id go for the mustang

Your bias against those economy cars is not wholly justified. Civics from the 90s were actually loads of fun before it was upsized and sold to older people. Corollas up until 1987 could still be had in rear wheel drive. If you really want to get a Celica, find one from the mid 90s and later. 1985 and later models were switched to front wheel drive and for what they gave you in reliability, they took away with body problems. An integra is also another option that does everything a Celica does better. A first generation Miata, MX-3 or MX-6 are also worth considering if you can find one. An MR2 is a run unique option as well. There are other options that I don't have time to mention.

A buss pas is the best option. It appears to me that you are not in need of any car. Most students live on or near campus. Parking is impossible and there's little need to drive on a daily basis. A car is too expensive just to have just to have. You ask about a "decent" car? Does not exist. I attended college for four years. I could not afford a car. A bus worked just fine. I suggest you consider this option.

Yes you are and with an immature attitude like that you will be paying ALOT!

Toyota or Nissan