Gas mileage is ok - I bought the car for $500 and in the past 3 years have only had to do oil changes and buy 1 new battery - that's it! It aint pretty, but considering it's got ice cold A/C and unless destroyed will always be worth at least what I payed for it I couldn't go wrong.. :)
If I could trade up to a new DD - it'd be a 240sx or an early 90's Toyota truck.