🚀 go-pugleaf

I want to ditto the previous response. I shopped and test drove
various small cars for about two months. I requested advice from
fellow netters just as you have done and got some good responses.
I am a large person (6'2" -250lbs) and have never driven anything
but full size GM products. The only small car that I felt truly
comfortable in was the Dodge Shadow (same as the Sundance). I 
finally bought mine about a month ago. I am very happy with it so far
I drive 1000 to 1500 miles a week in my new job and never feel
beat down when I get home. I could have gotten something more 
economical but everything I drove that was higher rated mpg felt
sluggish. I am getting about 28-29 mpg highway compared to the 14
I had been getting in my Suburban. It is very peppy and responsive in 
freeway conditions. On one deserted road I ran it up to 110 mph
just to see how it did. It did great and still had plenty of power left 
over (I do not normally exceed the speed limit at all). I slowed it back
down because it started feeling a little light at that speed.
After installing a quality sound system and cruise control and 
taxes etc. I had to write a check for slightly over $10k.