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I am with most of the suggestions here.
1. 99-2006 Honda Insight , if you can figure an alternative way of transport for when you actually need to drive more than 3 people this is the way to go, I have sat in the back of the insight (6'2) but it is neither safe nor comfortable, you would need to remove the IMA components per the thread on insight central and then install a jump seat.
2. Toyota Prius - Any year, any version is economical if you need more than 2 passengers most of the time.
3. Any 5speed econobox. My cobalt xfe driven slowly can top 50mpg in the summer but any cool weather drops economy massively. Geos, hondas, really anything works well with a 5speed manual. Echo, Fit, yaris, certain Scions, older 4 banger cavaliers & pontiacs all come in MT variants.
4. Chevy volt, this car once it gets over 70,000 miles ends up selling for less than $16,000, this summer 7000 of them come off lease, do the math it might be as cheap as a newer eco box later this year.
5. VW diesels, the VW can be an option but unless you find the amazing 1994 diesel VW that requires little maintenance, most will require YOU to have very good mechanical skills to perform regular maintainence. If you can do the maintenance yourself they can be a pain but are economical, if you need OTHERS to do the maintenance they will really SUCK every 100,000 miles or so.
6. Not really an option for you but the MIEV & Think EV are only $8995 in some areas of the country, it only drives 60 miles in warm weather at a time though.
Going back into the 80's if you can find one that runs there were many decent FE econo-cars, from diesel versions of normal fords, VWs & Toyos to Chevy Sprints and the like.
It will be up to you, the best and only option for highway is the Honda Insight. The only other car to come close (non-hybrid) is the 1970 subaru 360 (and of coarse the various older Honda lean burn models) and also only if you get it running right and even then its like a 2 cycle motorcycle in many ways and not for the faint of heart.
Good Luck
Ryan
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