Thinking outside the (econo) box here. About four years ago I bought (on ebay) a 2002 SAAB 9-5, turbo, 5-speed with 58k miles for about $7600, On the road I can drive it as fast as I think I can get away with and still get 32-33mpg. Better if I keep my speed down. I don't drive much within the city, but regularly drive from Massachusetts to Western Kansas. About a 25 hour drive. Less if I can miss rush traffic in Cleveland and Chicago, but I digress. That's my commute. In four years and about 55k miles I've done regular maintenance. replaced the heater bypass valve and left headlight bulb (four or five times) a set of tires, one bent wheel, fuel injection hoses (on a factory recall) and a battery. that's it. I don't get as good mileage as the cars mentioned here, but figure I match them by saving on depreciation, as the distance from $7600 to zero is a lot less than from $15000 to zero. And I drive a comfortable near luxury car. And I love being able to say that my car was made by the trolls in Trollhatten, Sweden.
Lindy