I dislike BMWs, so they're not on the list (yes, they handle very well, but I've had a couple of really bad experiences with BMWs reliability-wise, and their image kinda sucks here in the UK). I've owned 3 Saabs over the years and like them a lot, but am leaning towards rear-wheel drive this time around (Understeer pisses me off... ). I've had a couple of Mercs too, for what it's worth, and liked them, but I'll confess that buying one would be admitting that I'm getting old...
Lexus leave the Germans for dead in sheer build quality these days, but as you say, they've not quite caught up handling-wise. Nevertheless, I'm seriously leaning in that direction.
For what it's worth, M3's don't have class - they're mostly driven by vulgarians and incompetents over here. It used to be that if someone cut you up REAL bad, it was always a Honda. Nowadays it's invariably a BMW or an Audi An Evo will eat an M3 for breakfast anyhow, but yeah, the look of the Evo is a little off-putting. I'm getting too old for that kinda thing, I guess.
I used to like Alfas, but they're mostly front-drive again, and the trailer full of spare parts you have to tow in order to replace the bits that fall off tends to slow one down.
I hadn't thought of Jags (no idea why, but there ya go - I should have). One of the few decent marques that I've relatively little experience of, so that was an excellent thought - thanks for the reminder, Col.