Pontiac GP. I love the car. It gets ok gas mileage (but with a 3.8 V6 you cant expect to much) with some good power... great handling, plenty of trunk space, and a decent amount of room in the back seat. The rear doors open to almost 90 degrees which is awesome for getting larger shit in the backseat. The bucket seats are extremely comfortable, the steering wheel actually has a little feel to it, and so far after driving that thing hard as hell, with almost 100k on it, so far all I've replaced are the shitty stock break pads, spark plugs, and transmission fluid. (besides tires , oil, and filters that is.) I replaced the spark plugs which bosch platinum 4 tip for better performance, but the originals were still going great. I put on roughly 20K a year, if not more, and only change the oil about 2 times a year (full synthetic, of course) This thing is running great and I couldn't be happier with it.

My only advice would be to watch this first: http://www.videosift.com/video/How-to-Buy-a-New-Car-Without-Getting-Screwed

Forget horsepower, think gas mileage! My husband bought a Nissan Titan a year ago. (cause we were in the south and he wanted a MAN's truck ) That thing always hurt my feelings at the gas pump.

I drive a Nissan Versa (the hatchback instead of the sedan...in red, my fav color of course) and I L-O-V-E it! It's small yes but, it gets GREAT gas mileage and it has a very polite monthly car payment. For an econo car it looks quite smart too. There's not a lot of bells and whistles in it, but the interior is comfortable and tall people comment on how comfortable it is for a small car. One tiny con: It only has one charger. Even the most basic cars need 2 now days. Other than that though, its all gravy.. I couldn't be happier with it.

My husband drives an hour one way to work daily..and that's distance, not traffic. The other day I filled his truck up for him...( He was using my car again for work to save gas, go figure! ) Well, it wasn't on empty yet... about a 1/4 was left and I paid 86 bucks!! I wonder how much would have been if it were on empty! When the kids and I aren't out so much, he drives my car and I'm stuck w/ the manly truck! You know after a year I still can't park the damned thing straight...

Men, think practical..think gas mileage and low car payment!

Oh, and the Versa was 15,000 new, not bad. You could find cheaper eco makes, but I liked the reviews this one received.

Yeah, I'm in the market for mileage as well - but I don't want a Fit, Versa, Aveo, Yaris, or any other visual atrocity like that.

Gasp! visual atrocity! I'm wasting my breath (fingers in this case) on advising a guy on being practical.

Get thee to the Hummer dealership.. MALE

HELL NO.

I just think those cars are FUCKING ugly. Did you miss the part where I said I was looking at a Corolla and Scion? Definitely NOT a gas guzzler.

I just want something that isn't tiny, ugly, incredibly basic (it has to have a moon roof), decent trunk space, and good mileage.)

I forgot.. men buy with their scrotums. Silly me.

If you're thinking about Corolla or Scion tC, you should check out the current Honda Civic.

Same price range, and better cars, IMO.

I did check out the Civic - I didn't like the dash configuration at all. That and the windshield seemed really small.

For Youngish Thrills - Honda Civic Type R

For Familial Thrills - Ford Mondeo

For SUV - Nissan Qashqai

By the way I think all the cars I mentioned are awful and ugly looking. But they are great.

If you rob someone rich then get a Ferrari 430 Scuderia. For the price they are asking they should throw in that fit girl as well.

Too bad half the cars you mentioned aren't even available in the States... But thanks all the same. And it's not the thrills I want so much - but a car that's good on gas but also has some "oomph" to it when I need it.

I think it might be the XRS.

How about Subaru Legacy or Honda Accord?
Just throwing in ideas as I pass by.

My advice is to check out consumer reports top cars for 2008 first. Just do a quick google search and you'll see the list. If not you can get a copy at any store.

For what you what I would go with Honda or Toyota. I have a 07 Corrola XRS and so far I had to take it in twice for computer problems. Apparently it is a big, big problem on the 9th generation toyota corrolas and scions, they tend to fry out quick. So much so that the computers are on back order and can take a month to get in. Besides that it drives great, good size and mileage. Hopefully the problem has been fixed with the new generation. Here's a website devoted just to new corrola's with usefull info, http://www.9thgencorolla.com

As for the civic, I know what you mean. The dash feels like a jet fighter cockpit and the four doors versions are just plain UGLY. If you have the dough the accord is the best four door in its class (top pick for consumer reports too).

MINI Cooper? Same gas mileage as you get in your volvo and highest horsepower to weight ratio of anything you can afford.....Then put a Marine Corp bumper-sticker on the back, and wait for someone to heckle you......by the way, also a chick magnet-for when yer med-school gf trades you in for a doctor.....

Thanks for the info, dw1117.