Need help choosing a fuel efficient yet sporty daily driver

[gk_ghig14]

I have decided to retire the mustang from being my daily driver and purchase a more fuel efficient daily driver.

I would love to see my fuel costs at around 12-15 cents a mile(currently around 20 cents). My driving is I'd say 80% city, 18% short highway trips(5-10 miles), 2% long highway trips(50+ miles).

So far I've thought about the obvious choices(to me anyways) like Miata, GTI/GLI, cobalt ss sedan, sentra se-r, Lincoln ls, civic si, focus svt. But none of those seem to fit my criteria below, so I need some help on more choices! Thanks!

Criteria:
Be under $12,000 if a 2012 or older; or under $14,000 if a 2013 or newer
Must be 2005 or newer
EPA rated mid 20s-low 30s combined mpg
Must seat 4-5 people
Very reliable
Low-average maintenance costs
Be sporty and fun to drive
Not be a box or obviously eco friendly(xb, cube, prius, insight)
Would prefer 4 door sedan or hatch, but I could settle for another 2 door
Would prefer automatic to keep maintenance cost down(no surprise clutch replacement)

[Hersbird]

2009, 10, or 11 KIA Optima might fit that bill. It is epa rated at 25 combined but those on fuelly.com are doing better then that. The problem I see with your criteria is you want economy, reliability, and fun but then say automatic. To me those things don't go well together.

[jcp123]

I second the recommendation for an Optima. Automatic and low cost don't go together for me but eh. 10 cents per mile is a difficult bar, my Echo at a lifetime 39.5mpg is 8 cents per mile in cheap-gas Texas. I have driven the Optima's Hyundai twin, Sonata, and was impressed at its balance with good FE, nice ergonomics, and OK size. Driving impressions were similarly OK, not overly sporty nor the very most comfortable, but decently balanced. Driven right, a. 4-cylinder CVT Altima is nearly as efficient, with a really nice ride/handling balance and room to rival a full-size for both people and things. Optima's styling beats both by a wide margin, though.

Since you considered a Miata, I presume room is not a real big concern?

[gk_ghig14]

Updated the first post to be more concise and set more realistic goals. 10 cents a mile seemed easy at first(I'm at about 20 cents now with 18ish mpg) but 36 mpg would be a huge stretch with my driving types.

I like manuals but I don't trust used clutches anymore. On a past vehicle I had the clutch disintegrate only a month after purchase which lead to a huge unexpected maintenance cost. Then again same could be said for an automatic transmission.

Miata just came to my mind because it's a well known fun inexpensive vehicle that I'm sure gets good gas mileage. But no, space is not a concern. I'm only 5 ft 8

[redpoint5]

2006-2008 Acura TSX fits all criteria. I'm getting 31 mpg, and at close to 100k miles, have done nothing but change the oil. I challenge you to find a car with a better Cd (coefficient of drag .27) that isn't a hybrid or electric.


http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4547052947.html

[jakobnev]

Toyota Celica.

[ksa8907]

Don't know how you feel about brands, but the new chrysler 200 looks sweet as hell. 31 combined if you get the 2.4, 9 speed is standard. and the v6 should be quite the little road rocket with a 9 speed.

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

Don't know how you feel about brands, but the new chrysler 200 looks sweet as hell. 31 combined if you get the 2.4, 9 speed is standard. and the v6 should be quite the little road rocket with a 9 speed.

I'm sure it's a nice car but only rated at 31 mpg with 9 speeds?

[2000mc]

mazda3's w/ skyactiv get 33combined, but theyll be running at the top of your price range

[Superfuelgero]

Tdi