Hard to beat a Honda. I have a 94 Civic EX 4dr 5sp that is my beater and MPG car. 33 MPG average with 240,000 miles on it. Love that thing. Bought it 5 yrs ago for $1400 with 186000 miles on it. I would drive it anywhere. Only things I have done to it are coil, distributor, full SS exhaust (header and all), extra wheels and tires for I can run studded snow tires, and tierod ends. By far the cheapest car I've owned to drive, maintain, and mod.