2002 Saturn SL2
Got this thing pimped out with a nice ceramic tint, Radar Detector, GPS, upgraded head unit with connected Ipod, and bluetooth hands free cell phone connection:
Got it in 2014. In 3 years and ~58k miles, it has only needed a battery, A/C compressor/condenser, and a radiator fan motor for ~$750 in total repairs including labor. These cars last, and at this rate I might keep it another 8-10 years and make it to 300k miles, like most cared for Saturns do.
Gets low 30s in the city, high 30s on the highway and a best of 42mpg on a single tank. With the 5 speed manual and the 124-ish hp, it can get out of it's own way pretty decently -- was faster than the other economy cars in its class like the Focus ZTS, Neon, and a slew of imports. Being so low and light, it goes around corners predictably.
Favorite features: for such a little car, it's pretty cool that with my 36" inseam, I can still stretch my legs completely out under the pedals on long trips. Fiberglass body doesn't dent when door-dinged, and it probably gets hit twice a week in the tight parking at school, where I can't park my Truck and won't park my mustangs. Since it's the 4-door, and rear seats fold down, it can fit skiis or plenty of luggage no problem.
Biggest drawback: like a lot of economy cars with low tension oil rings, they have a rep for using oil, and I keep an eye on it at fuel stops. It's not bad for me, though. I figure I use around a quart between 4k mile oil changes, maybe slightly more.
