What is the best MPG and longest lasting and cheapest to keep car??

[Gringo-Gaucho]

Our stock 1991 Civic with 250K that can get 42 mpg tanks, cost 1300 bucks. Our 1994 VX with 200K gets 50 plus mpg tanks, and can do 70+ on paved trips (we do a lot of gravel here.) These cars are pretty aerodynamic, parts are ubiquitous (lots of parts crossover from the basic civic to the VX.) With a sub 2000lb curb weight, they have less embodied energy, and less inertia, than a Prius by far, but for the average user, equal or exceed most prius mpg's at a fraction of the purchase cost. Just a prius battery costs more than a VX(ours was purchased for 2000 USD) The only superior car in my opinion is the 1st gen honda insight, except that it only carries 2 people, thereby halving its eco-efficiency and rendering it near useless to my family of four.
So the VX- 5 occupants, 2000lb's, aerodynamic, cheap parts, and at least 50 mpg stock. Oh, and super fun to drive with excellent handling and 90 hp when you really need it...Long live lean burn!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by racprops

A major fact is my being able to make most repairs myself.

I remember seeing some cars which were originally fitted with EFI retrofitted with carburettors for this very same reason...