Brian, for the longterm I would suggest a 99-00 civic (99-00 civic is the last version of that chassis design) or any 98-01 Integra. I would go with the Integra over the civic. It seems to be more of a "luxury" version and your lady friend may agree. Both go for anywhere in the 4-6k range bone stock. The Integra comes with a 1.8l and the civic a 1.6. The Integra has much more pep to it. If you are shooting for gas mileage get an 96-98 HX Civic( Same Chassis as 99-00 different lights/bumper), it has a form of vtec (vtec-e) that improves fuel economy versus performance.

 

+1 in reference to the Toyotas


Corolla ...not sure the price tag on it, but i am sure that would be your most reliable bet. A lot of my older family uses the 90s corollas for dd's....you have to practically shoot the engine with a shotgun to get it to stop working right even then, i feel it might drive around lol.

<3 Jamie

 

maintenance and parts are VERY expensive on the tdi.

but they are reliable if you take care of them.

 

here are a few good VW deals..all in all..they can be had cheap..they ride better and have better interior quality then the civic..and my wife had a 2.0 and drove the shit out of the thing and i never had a single problem with it..and parts for it can be had at regular old parts store for cheap as well..plus more room and the 2.0 gets crazy MPG's..good factory sound system..civic's usually sound not as good..more trunk space. Shit that women care about..most women i know dig Jetta's

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1077871519.html
http://richmond.craigslist.org/ctd/1088803875.html
http://richmond.craigslist.org/ctd/1083620228.html

a nice one even under 4000!