COJ, help me choose a car (Page 2)

You didn't mention if you're looking new or used, but if you are looking the new route I'd strongly recommend taking a look at the 2013 Mazda CX-5.  It's not a car in the small car sense, but a sweet looking (IMHO) compact SUV.

I've had mine for almost a year and it's the best car I've ever owned.  I absolutely love this thing.  I get 32mpg on the highway and am usually around 25-28mpg in town.  They start in the low 20's and mine is decked out and I paid 27 for it. It makes a perfect Triathlon Assault Vehicle.

Oh, and the super bonus... It looks like an Angry Bird!

I just bought a new car this year and I love it but it doesn't seem to fit your needs.  

Yeah, but Subies suck down gas.

My WRX usually got between 16-18 MPG.  Which, however, was on par with my RWD turbo Volvo, my modified AWD DSM, and my 280z...

I wasn't going to chime in with my Focus recommendation since you said you didn't want to buy American, but since the other two did, I'll pile on.

We bought a Ford Focus Titanium in Nov 2012 and I absolutely love it. Just as importantly, though, so does the boyfriend, who has been a ASE Master Technician mechanic for about 20 years. He has worked on nearly every kind of car around, and he was totally on board with buying the Focus. Sporty looking thing, great mileage, reasonably priced.

Good luck!

As much as it pained me to do it, I got a V6 with taller gearing so it actually gets 36 on the highway.  I'm old and I don't speed so I didn't feel the need to get the RT or SRT models with all the power and gas consuming power. 

I have been renting quite a bit and one of my favorite rides is the Ford Fusion Hybrid.  Once you learn how to drive it, you can get some great fuel economy out of it.  I am a bit nerdy when it comes to fuel economy so I have actually wasted gas just figuring out how to drive vehicles in a way to save gas.  That car was my favorite rental and I had no trouble hauling 3 other adults.

In Dec. 2007, I also bought a Mazda 3 (2008 model) new so that my daughter would have a decent first car when she was able to drive.  She is 17 now and like you, the car is still strong.  We have around 88k miles on it.  I have replaced tires and brakes but that is all standard maintenance that I do myself.  I have zero complaints about that car.

I had a Mazda 3 for a few years and really liked the car.  The only reason I changed to the Toyota Rav4 was I wanted to sit up a little higher.  Both are great cars.

Based on your descriptions, I would really recommend a Honda Fit.

Cars that are decent but not penalty boxes.

Focus with a manual

Forte (or Elantra - same car) or Optima SX

VW GTI with DSG

Mazda 3

Civic is good but outdated, same with Accord. Fit drives like a little minivan. Fiesta is good but few extra $ gets the Focus. Focus ST has claimed the title for my favorite seats over the EvoX and RX8.

Here's a compact sedan review - Forte wins, but all are pretty good:  http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1303_compact_sedans_the_big_test/

Another vote for the Honda Fit.  It's small, but amazing roomy on the inside.  My kids sit in the back in their booster seats with no problem.  I can't tell you how much I love how the back seats can fold down all the way flat.  I took home enough lumber to make a set of bunk beds in my Fit.  I've also had two bikes, including one Xtracycle, in the car at the same time.  (That said, I did put a hitch mounted bike rack on it because two bikes, two people, and luggage for an overnight trip for a tri was a bit much to have all inside the car.)  Good mileage, looks cool :-)

As of 5 hours ago, I take back everything I've said in this thread.

Wait till next year and get a Volvo V60

EDIT: Holy huge picture!!!

I just got a VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI a few weeks ago and am loving it.  So much more fun to drive and twice the mpg as my old suv.

My wife is jonesin for a Volvo XC60, price new is outrageous so she will have to wait a few years for some to pop up in the used market.