I'm currently driving a 2004 Pontiac Vibe, which is my second such car. I love it, and I can fit two double basses, their players, and their chairs inside. It sips gas pretty well, and usually costs me $35 CAD to fill up. I get about 6 hours of driving on the highway (by which i mean usually 2 lane backroads highways, not 16 lane actual highways), and usually have it last two weeks for daily drives in town.
I have the Vibe as well, and it really is an understated treasure, isn't it? Totally generic. Nobody is ever going to steal it. Expansive space in the back. Hatchback. Fits four adults VERY comfortably. Comfy seats. All the basic controls work well... electric windows, doors, mirrors, A/C, built-in radio/CD/aux input.... ENORMOUS glove box. Sips gas. Costs nothing to insure. The total generic commuter vehicle. I love mine. (My motorcycles are the "fun" vehicles. The Vibe is just my CAR.)