Pick a car any car

[FY1Cuda]

I just can't bring myself to buy a foreign make......although many parts of the American makes I'm sure are imported.....

Once you do, you'll never go back!   

[422STROKER]

My wifes Honda Pilot was built in Alabama. 

To the OP a used WRX or something along those lines would be fun for sure.

Tom

[Bullitt-]

My wifes Honda Pilot was built in Alabama. 

To the OP a used WRX or something along those lines would be fun for sure.

Tom

Yea they build Toyota V8s here in Huntville, Benz SUVs in Tuscalosa, & some Korean brand somwhere else in the state....Chrysler was here but sold out to Siemens & they have about shut down the plant.....Your radio in your older Mopars may very well have been made here in the day.

Once you do, you'll never go back!  

I've had a few along the way...nothing I would wish to own again.  I'm sure they are better today but so are the domestic brands.

[mmccarty]

Plymouth/Dodge Neon.  Fast little 130 hp car that's not too bad on gas mileage.

[RaptorF229]

just think of the car as being built on planet earth and not on a continent. I just bought a new Tacoma and I love it

[Bullitt-]

just think of the car as being built on planet earth and not on a continent. I just bought a new Tacoma and I love it

& the workers here in HuntsVegas appreciate it....

[Super Blue 72]

10-15k would be about right. I have a Volvo S60 right now and get around 30 mpg but it just lacks the fun.

Hmmmm.... with that price range you could buy a used RSX or an older Integra like FY1Cuda mentioned and have enough money for a Jackson racing supercharger, add about 6-8 hours of labor and have about 240hp or more with the RSX.  That would be a quick little car.

I used to have a '90 Integra 5 speed, a header back exhaust, Mugen Racing struts and springs, and that car was a blast in the twisties.    I got the aftermarket stuff for free when I worked at Acura of Boston from a used car that they wanted returned to stock. 

[6packCuda]

IMO you can't beat a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry for mileage and dependability. I've had two of them now, a 1996 and currently have a 2005. Both are excellent cars and will get 35 mpg on the highway. And, they're roomy enough to seat more people comfortably if needed. Very economical cars.

[Street_Challenged73]

I've had awesome results with Toyotas as daily drivers...My '91 soon-to-be retired Corolla 4-door currently has 241,500 miles on it and still runs pretty strong for a 1.6L.  I get awesome gas mileage somewhere in the high 30's and I've heard the newer ones dip well into 40+ mpg.  The new Camrys are nice cars that are built to Lexus standards, but without the higher price tag.  If you want something fun, try an older Stealth R/T or ES.  They've been known to get around 30 mpg if you drive them conservatively, but the best I've gotten with my '91 R/T Twin-Turbo has been 24.5. (Haven't had it tuned yet and it seems to run pretty rich, so it should go up after I get some more stuff done to it.)  The non-turbos are a little better on your wallet at the pump and still have good performance with 87-octane, but you sacrifice a couple extra body/interior options depending on what you find.

As much as I love to try and keep the American market in mind, Toyotas have been the best "get in, drive wherever, very little maintenance" car I've seen or had the chance to use. (My cousins both run '96 Camrys with 168,000 & 227,000 miles without any major problems since ownership.)

[MJS73]

Have you looked at the Dodge Caliber?

Mike

[Fleet 500]

I suggest a Mercury Grand Marquis. They have the same engine (281-cu-in/4.6L V-8) as in many police cars and taxi cabs, so you know they are reliable.

Plenty of room inside and in the trunk, doesn't look like a blob- or egg-shaped car and can average 20+ mpg.

They can really rack up the mileage with minimal care.

[go-fish]

   My wife has a VW Jetta TDI and it is as peppy as the gas engines. We get 700 mile range on a tank and around 48-49 mpg of diesel. Diesel is a couple cents cheaper too. There are alot of low buck mods that you can do to get your mileage up even more. I've heard of 53mpg.
   On another note, I had a 95 Stealth that had the regular 3.0 in it, not the 24 valve or turbo. The more power I have the more gas I use. It got very, very good mileage. I never checked but I would guess high 20's maybe 30.  I would be amazed at the span between fill ups.
   With the diesels, you don't have to worry about passing or timing the on ramps or worry about getting run over when getting on the highway like you do with the other "over 40mpg" rides.

[RaptorF229]

if I were getting an econo car I'd go small toyota, Honda, or vw

[kudakidd]

I hate to admit it here, but I drive a Toyota Yaris

I'd hate to admit that too!

[Tropicalcats]

At one time I had a Honda CRX SI it got good mileage and it was a blast to drive.