try a chrysler 300 6.1 srt hemi tourer. driven sensibly it will maybe get you to work and back on a gallon or two, has loads of room in the back . insurance is crippling but if you get it off comapre the meerkat at least you will have a stuffed toy to hang in the back window.
seriously though with prices the way they are i would go for a vectra diesel estate. not as good to drive as a mondeo but just as reliable and you get more car/spec for your money.
then again dont listen to me, my daily for my 15 mile commute is an old 98 plate subaru outback 2.5 auto with 69k on the clock
it does 28mpg max, goes most places , brill in the snow, has never broken down in the four years ive own it and goes around corners like its on rails.
i paid 1700 quid for it four years ago when it had 34k on the clock and its passed its mot first time all the time. still puts a smile on my face when i drive it
theres no expensive diesel pump or dual mass flywheel to go kaput either