i would say either toyota or mazda. my parents have a '96 mazda protege and it still works like GOOD! mazda well over time the engine starts to rumble but i have no problem with it... toyota: i would subsribe u the toyota prius HYBRID because it runs on electricity and gas plus for 30,000 and above pretty good price. i would choose the mazda 6 because it's cheap, well designed, and it comes in a good price. for toyota i would choose for my second the toyota camry, toyota corolla, or the toyota yaris or the toyota matrix. the toyota matrix is a "mini suv" aka it's a whole lotta space more than a regular car but little smaller than the suv.