Mini Cooper non-S would be fun to drive and not bad on economy, runs on
regular as well.
Older cars and cheaper would be a Honda Civic Si ('99-00) (the later ones
are geared too short for economy), Integra GS-R, Toyota Celica (maybe).
I'd rather drive a Mini than a Prius.
If I were getting a new car, I'd get a Jetta Wagon TDI.
Taka