[Sloth]

If you're planning on keeping the car for more than a couple years (and it sounds like you are) get a toyota, mazda, or honda.

My dad had an 81 corolla and that thing was bullet-proof. Slow and dorky, but bullet-proof. And I've had my mazda for 2+ years and I'm very happy with it. It's had no issues other than a couple of swaybar links which are probably my fault.

If the driver is a 6-footer, don't bother with a corolla, though.

My parents had a dodge that blew up. My plymouth rattled apart. My girlfriend's chevy must have had a stroke because it's slowly becoming paralized. And I have more than one friend who's volkswagen is in the shop more than it is on the road.

I'm all for stimulating the American economy, but economics and politics aside, that is my experience.