WTB: Small fuel efficient reliable appliance up to $7k, like Mazda3, Prius, Civic, etc

My wife's sister just got her car totaled.  She's on disability and generally useless and as such has little money, and I am the one who maintains her car.   I need to find a replacement car for her, and before I go deep into the world of FBM I was hoping that some GRMer would have something.  Looking for fuel efficient because she can't afford not, small because it is easier for her to drive and park, reliable so I don't have to actually work on it much.   She previously had a a Mazda 3 and 5 (family hand me down) those were great.  A Prius would be awesome, also Civic, Corolla, Fit, etc.  Automatic is a must, and otherwise working and good enough you would have your family drive it.   I'm in PA but willing to drive and drive or fly and drive for the right car, especially rust free.  
 

Anyone have anything?  No particular rush, even a month or two from now is fine.   

Someone as work has posted their 2015 Honda Fit EX for sale for $8700 with 128xxx miles a few days ago. Not sure if it's still available but I can inquire if you're interested. Located in Bay Area, CA though so it's some ways away for you. 

My Gen2 Prius Buyers Guide.  I do not live in a rust free area so I am not help there.  But, if you have some listings you might be considering feel free to post the links here or send them to me directly and I will tell you what I see.  

My reasons for loving the Gen2 Prius, in order:
1. They don't break.
2. When they do break down there is no such thing as a unique problem.  Literally a million of them were sold and the internet has good documentation for every problem/repair.
3. They get good mpg (42 mpg w/o trying.)  Yeah, that's my 3rd favorite thing.  

BUT...#2 points to easy repair for a GRM'er.  However, if you're not going to DIY the repair, shops and dealerships will charge crazy prices.  If she will be taking it to a shop for all repairs and needs you might be better off with a plain ole Corolla which will also never break but will be less expensive at retail when it does break.  

This '08 w/164k @ $4.3k is properly priced.  Short on words but the seller feels it is ideal condition???

Similar that is less nice and more money.

A little more money but loaded w/ factory leather than required taking of many option.  Seems like a genuine private seller

This one at $4500 has a whiskey bump to the front but $150 should get you a correct color bumper assembly-front off car-part.com.  The rear hatch latch repair is $50 parts via Amazon and super easy.  

2015 Fit had injector problems first year for direct injection for Fit. Sometimes they are covered by warranty.  The Fits a great car.

In reply to Sonic :

I've gotten into the Prius business lately: buying them broken and flipping them once fixed.  I bought my #12 Prius last week.  It needed a hybrid battery, which I've replaced and a few other minor things.  I've transferred the title into my name, just waiting for it to be mailed.  Should be ready to sell in about a week or two. It has 136k miles.

How important are cosmetics?  Here's some teaser pics:

That's the worst of the cosmetic faults.

If I put a new fender and bumper cover on it, I'm confident I can get $5k out of it.  I don't want to fix it.  Would $4k as-is be something you're interested in ? I'll post more pics and info if you want.

Edit: located on the far East side of Indianapolis.

In reply to Indy - Guy :

Cosmetics are not all that important as she will probably bump it into something eventually.  This is the sort of thing I'm interested in and you are not all that far away.   Email incoming.  
 

John, thanks for consolidating the great Prius info you have.   I'm a fan of these, I worked at a Toyota dealer as the "Prius guy" back when these were new and had some meetings with people on the product team, etc., they really put their best effort into these.   

Damn.  We just sold my mother's Corolla, bought new, sold with 11,000 miles on it.  Woulda been perfect.  I'll keep an eye out for you.  

A coworker of mine in Pennsylvania is selling his 2004 Camry soon. Not exactly the "tiny" car you're looking for. 200k miles and he was willing to sell it to me for 2500$. I can send him your way if you want. I checked it out vaguely/loosely and its rust-freeish (was a Virginia car until 150k when it was brought up here). He said it was owned by a mechanic. Current owner right now seems to be a smart/conscious guy about maintenance and did some recent work to it. Only issue I noticed upon my short, brief inspection was a slight exhaust leak at the front flex section (could prob weld it for like 50$). Its the 2AZFE Pre-Low Tension Rings so it doesn't burn oil like a mofo, or at least it shouldn't (and hes told me it doesn't). Also the sunroof doesn't work.

In reply to Sonic :

I received your email. 

Today I spent a few hours cleaning up the exterior a bit.

Here's several pictures after (also polished the headlights)

I'll add some more pics and words a little later...

Passenger side had some aftermarket side molding attached with adhesive.  It was looking a bit damaged and peeling a bit, so I pulled it off.  You can see a bit of color difference evidence of it in these two pictures:

The interior needs to be cleaned, and I plan to take it and get it professionally cleaned.  Seats are cloth no tears or rips.  It'll clean up nicely.  I'll add pics once it's done.

I replaced the defective hybrid battery with one I built myself.  I give all my customers a 12 warranty on the battery.

I've driven it about 20 miles since getting it sorted out.  No other problems have popped up.

Miata? My parents are going to put their 2002 Miata up for sale in the next week or so. Black with tan top/interior, automatic and I will find out the mileage later today but probably under 105k. It is an R-title and only required a front bumper cover to repair the damage. I borrowed it a few weeks ago when my truck was in for service. As the good son, I took it home, washed, clay barred, buffed and waxed it for them. It looks great and drives like an automatic Miata should. They were thinking $7,500 but haven't done much research yet as to current market pricing.