[Backtobasics]

Daily driver is 97 Ram 1/2 2wd 5 speed. I bought a SGII through EM. With a reliable meter telling me, I am know downtrodden with the MPG from this truck. (15) Doing quick math, I spend roughly $1,800 a year in fuel with this truck on daily driver / primary mode of transportation duty.

I am considering a "beater with a heater" car as a means to use less fuel, and reduce fuel bill.

I admit I lean more towards a performance enthusiast, then ecomodder, but I do drive economically, but the SG pretty much tells the story.

I figure a car that doubles the existing MPG to 30 would cut fuel cost in 1/2 to roughly 1000.00 a year in fuel costs (will need the truck to be a truck from time to time). A car that I could ecomod to, say 45 MPG, would be even better, but I am struggling with the math at the moment (600 a year?).

I flip cars on the side, so finding the right type of car that I can fix and modify is relatively easy. I frequently find 500.00 beaters with heaters that would be an ok start but need brakes, struts, etc. I would like you input on the best starter platform, so I can work on tripling my existing MPG.

Is there a particular platform (IE 92-95 Toyota Corolla) that will serve me to get to and from work, with much better MPG, that will carry kids, and not drive me insane with boredom?