Time to find a new car
 

I've been looking for a new car. I just took a job that will require me to be on the road all day. Figuring I'll be averaging around 150 miles per day.
I currently own an Acura TL-S but I am thinking it might be time to trade her in. Love the car but she is a gas pig in the city, hasn't inspired a lot of confidence in the snow and has a horrendous turning radius for a FWD car.
I want the next car to be relatively cheap too (closer to $20k, the better). Since I'll be piling the miles on, I want to pay it off quickly so I can save for the next car while I drive that one into the ground. Don't want to spend 5 years paying off an expensive car that will potentially have 200k+ miles on it, if it even lasts that long.
If I decide to go with an AWD vehicle, it'll be a stripped down Legacy. I like Subies. Their drive trains are pretty much bullet proof and the base models get pretty decent mileage.
If I go normally aspirated/FWD, was thinking of the Ford Fiesta or maybe a Civic.
The other options would be either a hybrid or diesel car as they are all FWD and have fairly similar mileage numbers.
I know diesels generally will run forever but the pickings are very slim. The VW Golf TDI is the only one that fits the price criteria.
Is hybrid technology sturdy enough to handle high mileage/heavy useage? Its still a relatively new drive train. I've found a few used Civic's and Prius' listed with mileage as high as mid 70K. The Ford Fusion is still too new.

Do you think a hybrid would be a good choice?

Any other manufactures/models I may have overlooked? (I won't buy a GM, I don't trust their quality)

Hybrids are pretty expensive I believe, I think most of them start around $30k but I could be wrong about that. If it were my money I would choose a Ford Fiesta or the new 2011 Chevy Cruze, which I think is out in the fall, starting at around $17k. A complete redesign.

The Civic hybrid starts around $23k. I'm not going for a lot of bells and whistles so could keep the price down. The Fusion hybrid starts just under $28k. The hybrid SUV's run around $30k.

Correct me if I am wrong but it seems that gas mileage is your top priority? If so, I believe the Toyota Prius gets the best mileage overall, up in the 40s both city/highway. According to the toyota website they start in the low 20s pricewise. The Honda civic hybrid I think is 2nd behind the Prius in terms of overall mpg. The Subaru seems more upscale, and like you say the base model has awd and gets around 30mpg highway for $20k. Pretty nice. Don't think you can go wrong with any of these, comes down to brand preference, price, styling, gas mileage etc. Choice is good.

Buying a more expensive car for better gas mileage is financially stupid. If you're looking at a regular Civic for $16-17kish or a Hybrid ($23k) it will take years and years and years before you make up the difference on having better gas mileage. It'll be paid off before you break even on the gas........

Bingo. Forget a hybrid, a gently used stock Civic will serve you better if you're looking to get the most economical bang for your buck.

You can find a Civic with less than 40k on it for half the price of a comparably equipped new hybrid. And the MPGs will be more than acceptable.

The Legacy will make it to 200,000+ miles. Also, it might be the most comfortable of the cars your considering since it is a little bigger.

Keep creature comforts in mind too. 35 mpg is great until you can't bear to sit in the seat for 150 miles a day..

I plan on going out to dealers this weekend to try on the cars. I imagine I'll rule out a couple when I have to twist myself like a pretzel to get in/out of the vehicle.