You can't really do much better than her current MPG for the price. I assume she wants something much newer for reliability and safety features. At the $8K limit there will be some newer Aveos, as well as Kia Rios and Hyundai Accents with low mileage and good warranty still left. You might find a recently off-lease Cobalt or Focus at that price. 03-05 Buick Century will work here and they get far better real world mileage than EPA, while being very reliable and comfortable.
You'll find a ton of Dodge Neons at this price, but friends' experiences have warned me away from them.
Good luck in the search!
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