My favorite car would have to be Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi. If not that, then I suggest you look at the Elantra CRDi. Whatever might be said, I think that you are sold on a diesel and these are the only cars that I think will finally interest you.
The Optra is a good car, but I do not think that the fuel costs are going to enthuse you too much. Do try and take test drives though. You may unexpectedly fall in love with something that was not in the equation in the first place.
P.S. The Accord costs double here right? That is one reason why I do not like Honda in India.

Or Toyota for that matter.