Cheap new car help

[Postman47]

So im going to buy a new car, my trucks not cutting in. im going to be pretty broke going into college so gas mileage is really important.

Im looking for something with good gas mileage, nothing less than 20 MPG city and hopefully around 30 highway. I also like sporty, low,quick, fun to drive cars. i cant stand driving slow grandma fuel economy cars so im going to need to make a compromise.

I dont want to spend more than 4-6 thousand and i also want the car to be pretty reliable, i dont want to have to buy a new tranny a month after i buy it. also i like smaller 2 door, 4 seat cars.

Im not a big fan of import cars, especially civics and integras, or front wheel drive. but im willing to make a compromise since american cars dont quite work for me here. but still, no civics or tegs.

So ive kindaaa narrowed it down to a few cars im lookin at, im looking for gas mileage and fun to drive factor first. but being fast as possible is a big plus too.

i havent driven any of these before, im just looking for ideas and suggestions.

92-97 prelude- I think they are nice looking, pretty cheap, and small like i like. i dont know how quick they are or MPG? help? newer vtec ones are kinda spendy.

95-00 eclipse- Also pretty cheap and cool. i know some are turboed, i dont know what models or years though. dont know how fast these are but im sure the turbos at lease help them out a little? also dont know mpg or 0-60s. I knows theres quite a few different models but i dont know the differences. any help? these are probably what im thinking about but im still not sure.

00-05 eclipse- little pricier, and im iffy on looks but maybe they are overall nicer since theyre newer? i think they have a v6 which means maybe worse mpg but faster? i dunno help me out

94-04 mustang/camaro/firebird v6 - im really not sure about these cars, the RWD is a big plus for me but im sure they have to get worse MPG and be slower then the japanese cars being heavier and with a v6. but dont know for sure. im not a big fan of their looks either, except the 99+ stangs.

05 g5/cobalt - ive seen a couple of these for 5-6k with some miles on them. and im assuming theyre nicer being the newest model and i know they get good MPG but i know nothing else. are they quick?

celicas i dont like, too girly.
240s and 300zxs are overpriced and rare and i dont want one.
accords just arent sporty enough.
stuff from the 80s sucks.

Any other ideas?

I think this is mainy between the older eclipse and prelude, but i still dont know for sure. any other suggestions of cars woud help too.

im looking for opinions/recomendations on these cars and others and possibly some MPG numbers and 0-60 times.

thank you

[wrenchboss26]

I don't like the eclipse very much, but I think I'm the only one. Nissan 200sx se-r can be fun, and are peppy. Mazda mx-3 v6, and mx-6. The Ford Focus hatchback is surprising quick. Go out and drive a bunch of cars and pick the one you like.

[SaintD]

I would not bother with a cobalt. i have ridden in 3 different ones, and i can 100% feel it is just is pretty cavalier.
i own a 91 prelude si, and it is a ton of fun to drive, Handles great, accel is good, top end i never got mine over 130.
the eclipse are okay, but even the newer ones still look girly to me.
i agree with you on the camaro, firebird, and stang they are slow if you get the v6 and mpg will not be great.

[Ray paulsen]

Originally Posted by wrenchboss26

I don't like the eclipse very much, but I think I'm the only one. Nissan 200sx se-r can be fun, and are peppy. Mazda mx-3 v6, and mx-6. The Ford Focus hatchback is surprising quick. Go out and drive a bunch of cars and pick the one you like.

4 to 6 grand, the smart money goes with the Focus hatchback.

[Postman47]

not a big fan of ford focuses lol, about how fast is the turboed eclipse?

[Ray paulsen]

Hmmm, so your not a big fan of the Ford Focus, let's look at your post a little more in detail.

You want something cheap
Must have good gas mileage
You don't like imports
Must be fast as possible
The Celica is to girly
Accords are not sporty

You mention fast quick reliable,,,,, fast and quick in your price range is an easy find, but to outlast your investment being reliable the odds are not with you unless you go with something like a Ford Focus.

[fumilayo]

I shopped hard for a cheap car that's kinda sporty but gets good mileage. I checked out and drove them all. I ended up buying a VW.
Check out the volkswagon's before you buy.

[wrenchboss26]

turboed eclipse does not equal reliable, and most of the used ones have been treated worse than rental cars.