Here are a few that can be had for cheap, are often overlooked, but quite reliable:
1. Mazda Protege
2. Ford Escort
3. Mercury Tracer
I don't know if the later year Chevy/Geo Prism is any good. My mother has an old 1989 with the Toyota Corolla engine in it. Still purring like a kitten, but has NO power/torque.