mini, Mercedes, Lexus, Kia, Hyundai, and Hummer.

For me, life is too short to drive a FWD econo-hatch back to and from work every day. I'd first find out what I like to drive and then buy the best example possible for $5k, saving the other $1k for post-purchase maintenance and service.

I've had great luck with this and enjoy my daily commute (and the inevitable maintenance when it comes up) because I enjoy driving my vehicles.

I almost never look at Honda/Toyota (unless it's a 4Runner/Land Cruiser), and VW, simply because to me, their offerings have no "soul" when I'm driving.

Even if I didn't care about the "soul" of a car, why would I over-pay for one of those Japanese brands held together with a timing belt, when the domestics offer a fully non-serviceable timing chain in the same class for less money?

A thoroughly vetted car of any brand (ie: buy a good one!) will last well over 200k. So buying the "right brand" isn't NEARLY as important as it was in 1978.