Thoughts and experiences with Ford Focus hatchback?

I am a uni student starting grad school in Indianapolis. I plan on buying my first car. Just so the posters know, my programme is fully funded and I will receive a stipend on top of it. Now, traditional wisdom and popular opinion will direct one to buy a Toyota or a Honda for their affordability, reliability and resale value. But, these choices seem a bit too safe and sound for someone like me.
I want a car that a suits my personality - a bit of a calculated risk-taking yob with some eccentricity, style and substance. So I short-listed the Subaru Impreza and Ford Focus. Of the two, I am inclined on the Focus. I plan on going for a 2010 or later make, hatchback. I will be driving mostly in the city and downtown, with some occasional driving on the motorway. I plan on owning this car at least for the next 5 years.
I would like to know about people's experiences with car and any suggestions they can make to help me with this are welcome.

Thank you, that was my theory about it all along. I stopped at an auto parts store for a car battery and mentioned Id be selling it for the Altima,(as long as it sells), and the guy started saying "why would you get rid of small suv for a car, and they are much safer then a car" etc.....I told him I thought a newer model with less miles would be a more prudent choice, but then I was not sure

You can't take over the lease. And you can't drive the leased car without your mom getting permission of the lease finance company (tell here to read here contract). And the full-coverage insurance required of the lease will be VERY expensive for a 16 year old male driver. Not a really good idea.

"Rather dumb" is a considerable understatement. I have to ask, are you "mentally challenged", as they say? A "lease" is a long-term rental. You would pay three to five thousand dollars up front, THEN pay the $549 MONTHLY for three years to NOT own the car at the end of the lease. You are either a troll, or a moron (if you couldn't look up the definition of "lease").