simple- VW Golf TDI with a tune. I had a Jetta 5speed manual that I put around 60k miles a year on. finally blew up the turbo around 260k miles. could have fixed it for cheap but sold it and bought a V10 tdi. 
I was very close to buying a Golf Wagon TDI when the whole diesel gate thing happened. But the Touareg instead. lol.
stupid gas mileage, engine will easily go 200k miles, a tune makes it fun to drive and most basic maintenance isn't crazy money (the spec oil can get expensive but find a good source and stock up). APR tune or others out there and you are set. Or leave it stock. $15k for a 60k mile example below.
I was very close to buying a Golf Wagon TDI when the whole diesel gate thing happened. But the Touareg instead. lol. stupid gas mileage, engine will easily go 200k miles, a tune makes it fun to drive and most basic maintenance isn't crazy money (the spec oil can get expensive but find a good source and stock up). APR tune or others out there and you are set. Or leave it stock. $15k for a 60k mile example below.
