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If you want something really cheap get a 1998 5 speed civic, I had one (sold it becuase it was boring slow) but I got 34 mpg city consistently because I would shift at low RPM's
If you are looking at 36 mpg car, and you want to buy something used, then dont even bother looking at 1.8l engine cars, they simply wont do it. Even newer cars cant get that having n/a 1.8l or 1.4 turbo. you want that mpg constant get hybrid and i would suggest go with a new one since you don't know anything about them, that way you have a warranty on the car and if something goes wrong, well give the car to dealers they will fix it up. I would go with civic because i owned one 2005 ex, stick shift, was getting 31 mpg average.