 We bought this car after graduating from
college -- it was the only new car we
could afford, and it met my strict
retentive guidelines (safety, gas
mileage, low cost of ownership).  This
car has been fantastic.  It's survived a
move to Vermont (think mountains), which
is pretty good for a little 1.5 liter
engine.  Perhaps the most impressive in
the gas mileage -- 40mpg highway.  You
can barely get that in a hybird car. 
The car is also well laid-out, with
plenty of headroom for our 6' tall
friend.  I do my own synthetic oil
changes, and that engine runs like the
day it came off the lot.  The CD player
recently died, and the air intake had to
be replaced.  Other than that, smooth
sailing!