WTB Reliable, fuel efficient car

My truck sucks gas like a Thai..... nevermind, it's just not very fuel efficient. What I'm looking for needs to run and drive and be reliable. Cosmetics aren't a killer, but I don't want a rusted down hunk of poo either. Prefer a manual transmission, needs to be a four cylinder. If it doesn't get at least 28 MPG, I'm not interested.

I don't want to spend more than 600-700, and I know that's asking alot, but I see decent deals on craigslist, just figured I'd try to deal with someone i know rather than someone on there.....

I also have several large amps and subs that I would possibly be willing to trade towards a decent vehicle, but the value of the car needs to be similar.....

If you have anything or know someone that fits this bill, let me know.

festiva man

or metro other than that you need a honda civic or crx hf

you can find an early 90's civic for that i'm sure, go for the EG body if you can (92-95), i had a hatch and it got over 30, but so did my integra, my accord has been getting 28 mpg lately.

Id look for a Metro XFi. Mine's a 94 and gets 53 mpg on the highway with two full layers of deadener all around and a small system in it. It reported to be able to get 59.

thanks for the great suggestions...but I have looked for those cars around here and everyone either thinks they have gold, or they are clapped out POSs....That's why I posted here, to see if any of YOU had one or knew of any near you.

i saw a metro on 18's the other day at the stop light.. it was pimpin' hard! ha

Should be able to find an older Saturn for about that price, maybe a little more. I paid $1200 for mine off of CL and it's been perfect. Has 800lbs of poo in it and just drove to GA and back and averaged about 36mpg. It has 152K on it and runs like new.

ford festiva 5 speed you need the 90 or below model cause they came in carbeurated and mine got around 40 city 50 hwy sporty little cars and they can get loud if you know how to do em lol