I got bumped into and my current commuter car 2013 Chevy Cruze may be totaled.

I am researching possible replacements.

I commute about 80 miles a day.

Requirements:

30+ mikes per gallon
Retains as much value as possible even if I put 100k miles (the toughest requirement)
While a Miata or C5 Vette would be fun, probably need 4 seats at least.
$30k or way below would be preferred. Think we only have $14k for the Cruze.
Fun factor, the Cruze with is 1.3L of raw muscle left much be be desired.


Whatcha got?

Civic Si

Corolla, Civic, or Sentra.

Honda or Toyota will hold value the best and get the fuel mileage you want

Civic or Corolla would get my vote.

I was looking at these hard. But the older models are sky high and the new 2022 model doesn’t come out for a while.

There seems to be some availability of Subaru Imprezas which should meet your requirements. As a Subaru owner, they tend to make the numbers for highway mileage, but don't tend to make the combined, if there is a lot of city driving.

I would buy a Honda


Miatas are extra gay

I’ve been driving the mrs subaru cross trek. Pretty peppy and have great fuel mileage. It was $24k and they seem to keep their value.

Eugene

Yeah, wife did have a Subaru Forrester for like 6 months...

Seemed like a pretty cool car AWD and ran pretty good

Wasn't fancy enough

Hmmm…

Fun to drive
Peppy performance
High fun factor
Under $30K cost
Good gas mileage
Hold value well

Nope, I got nothing.

With a 30 mpg min you could probably even get by with one of the 1/2 ton or I’d size diesel trucks if you don’t drive 80.

Subaru WRX STI LOTS of pep. 310 hp.

You’ll pay through the nose for a replacement

My commuter car is a 19' civic. I drive about 75 miles per day. I'm getting 35-37mpg. It's not gonna win any races but I don't have trouble getting on the highway. Comfortable little car and enough room for the family too. Lots of extras available and the technology is much better than I have in my truck for hooking up the iphone and such.

Tesla

Nissan Altima

Vw gti

RAV4

Plenty of used for your budget. Not sure on the fun part.

I just picked one of these up for a commuter for me and to drag Kids to games and practices all over. My wife dropped it since it didn't have a backup camera.lol. Replacing head gasket and other parts and should be good as new.

my steps moms ford fiesta ecoboost is like an over grown go cart, tiny but tons of fun!

Honda CRV with Turbo

Another vote for the GTI. I bought one for one of the kids and really like that thing. 6 speed manual, turbo 4 banger. You can get 30 mpg but not with me driving it.

The mrs loves her new Crosstrek and is getting right at 30 mpg. Very comfortable cruiser.