I gotta throw in with the Neon crowd, although the hatch thing is a deal breaker. Single cam, 5 speed, change the belt and water pump, go. Just make sure the head gasket isn't pouring oil out the back side- they have pretty much all been fixed by now.
The second gen is a better driving car, but will cost a bit more.
Of course those would be in Atlanta lol. You could easily sell either of those in california for double that price.
Anyone with a Neon of the generation in question willing to make a quick video showing the cargo space? Hatchback isn't for looks, it's for utility. Although I honestly prefer a separated trunk for the hauling of smelly items!
A truck would be pro, but I haven't seen a diesel VW caddy for these prices... ever!
A 4th/5th/6th gen Celica WILL hit 35mpg on the highway fairly easily. My 92 and 93 GTs both did it. The 92 is a hatch with OBSCENE amounts of storage space.
AND it has enough grunt to actually get to highway speeds decently quick.
Otherwise, a Neon, or a BG-chassis 323 hatch if you can find it.
Escort GT will hit 35mpg on the highway as well. I measured 38mpg to and from picking up the MX3 with it.
Celi, I found your new ride
The answer is always festiva. Shame on you all.
Taiden wrote: Celi, I found your new ride
Lol the Rangastang!!!!
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Taiden wrote: Celi, I found your new rideLol the Rangastang!!!!
I think I... No, I did...
Getting back to the subject, A Ford Festiva with some heavier sway bars would do OK. You wont even have to worry about feeling like you're going to die at 75 because you wont get there for about 25 miles.
An escort will do it around 30-35 mpg. I'm real heavy on the pedal and my Zx2 gets 30 average. I paid 1 sack of beans for it.
Anyone with a Neon of the generation in question willing to make a quick video showing the cargo space?
No but i think you can see some of the back seat folded down in this video of my old sohc neon. 
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/burnt_toast96/Elite/?action=view¤t=MOV02934.mp4
I just "sold" my 100% stock 94 Civic DX Hatch on ebay for $2k - if the "buyer" is a loser & doesn't pay I'll let you know. It just got 45mpg on the trip from Florida to Delaware - so that's an extra $100 per 1 mpg. Plus that was with 4 people & some luggage, so with 1 person it might do 50mpg so that would only be $50 per 1 mpg - hey now that's a deal. I already have a hyper miler CRX HF so don't need this one.
I paid $1000 for my SW2. It has more cargo capacity than any car discussed so far, gets upper 30s highway and is quick relative to anything that returns 40mpg. I'm about to put it up for sale, but I'm sure you'd spend more $ coming to get it than you'd want. If you search for one with the SOHC motor, it will net better mileage and has a much crazier overdrive. The 5th gear-set can be swapped to the DOHC trans relatively easily though (w/o removing trans). 0.6:1 overdrive. I've been meaning to do this, but I'm lazy and I don't think it will make much difference in my commute.
Anyway, I have to agree, of the vehicles that can hit 40mpg the Neon will likely be the fastest.
I thought people were getting near 40 mpg or so with the 1.9 liter in the mazda chassis Escorts?...
RossD wrote: I thought people were getting near 40 mpg or so with the 1.9 liter in the mazda chassis Escorts?...
Yep... especially if you can find a "Pony" trim variant.
My '93 Honda Accord Wagon get's 30+ mpg with the A/C blasting during the summer 
Escort wagon.
Old Accord wagon
Geo Metro - 4 door hatch. You'll feel a little less like you were going to die than if it was a 2 door.
My 96 Sentra 1.6 has broken 40mpg on highway trips, gets 30+ around town, and is fairly peppy. 240K miles, still going.
+1 on the Saturn idea.
They handle well, are pretty easy to work on, and you won't feel unstable at highway speeds.
I like the 95 SW2 the best. (old bodystyle, newer interior)
CRX HF? Hatchback and gets 40+mpg.
Mind you, here out West, 1.5k will probably buy you a horror show on anything with an 'H' badge.
I know the sentras like the back of my hand. Last time I did a motor swap in one it took me 1.5 hours with hand tools. That might be the smartest way to go. I wish they had come as wagons.
I picked up my CRX HF for $1800, had all new spark-side parts, t-belt and w-pump, Koni yellows and some chassis bracing. I'm getting 45+ MPGs all day long on 185/60-14s now that I've done some tune-up work.
It isn't technically an EF hatch, it's a fastback! :P
I always wanted to put the HF motor/tranny in the back of a 1st gen mr2. I'm weird like that i guess
done.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:RossD wrote: I thought people were getting near 40 mpg or so with the 1.9 liter in the mazda chassis Escorts?...Yep... especially if you can find a "Pony" trim variant.
My 91 Pony does near 30mpg when delivering pizza and never less than 50 mpg when I hit the Interstate. No power steering or AC, cruises well up to about 85mph.
Bruce
1983 toyota tercel, bought mine for $300, sold it a few years later for $300, was able to put my bike in the back with the seat all the way up, great car
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