So in the heavy rain yesterday morning some rocket scientist pulls out in front of me to make a left hand turn coming from the opposite direction and I smack him a good one.
Looks like my car is totalled (still waiting on final word from insurance) but I'm pretty sure it is and am hoping to get about $4k from it.
So are you ready...?
A DD for <$4k, needs to seat 4 comfortably, preferrably get 30+ mpg and hopefully be a bit fun to drive, manual would be nice but not a deal breaker.
GO!!!! 
SVT Contour
Maxima
Protege, escort.
A miata towing another miata seats four but definitely doesn't get 30mpg
I was going to say SVT Contour, but I didn't want to be a smart@$$.
You might be able to get an early Focus for $4k. Avoid the '00s, though.
A ZX2 can certainly be had for $4k. Getting in the back seats is tough, but there's room for at least medium-sized kids once you get back there.
Probably an early 3rd generation Integra sedan can be had in that price range as well, especially if you avoid the GSR.
You could also get 2 $2k Miatas. 
A Civic sedan (pick one, they all get >30MPG IIRC) or a Miata with aerodynamic sidecars
Sentra SE-R? I've recently began to like those and they can be had for cheap. As an added bonus, I don't think they have the same cachet among car thieves that a Honda product does.
After 8 years I think I'm ready to try something other than another 'Tour, even though an SVT would be a step up from my SE Sport. Civics were the first thing to come to my mind but I'm trying to come up with something more creative that still fits the bill....
What about E30's? What falls into the $3-4K range?
+1 Maxima
e30 would be good. But I have to be honest, at DD duties I'd rather have the Maxima. And I've had a half dozen of each. The Maxima will get at least as good of mileage. Never ever ever fail in any substantial way Seat four more comfortably. FWD and cavalier rear suspension are the only minuses, but the latter of those problems contribute to a decent trunk.
Cop car! 
For less then $4000 I have a 2001, seats 5 6'+ adults AND all of their stuff in total comfort, have the cheapest insurance known to man, go 14's in the 1/4, AND nobody gets in front of you on the highway. I get 20-23MPG on 87 around town and 25-27MPG on the freeway (75-80). On a straight 50-mile trip going 65 with fill-ups at both ends and laying off of the throttle I managed to eek 33MPG.
Seriously, it's a great DD choice. Downsides would be you do have to do some work (I paid $2450 for mine and then swapped in an all-new civilian interior, etc, etc) to get it to this point and it is a BIG car. I don't mind it, but if you're used to smaller stuff it might be intimidating.
Other choices? In the same market/price right now there's quite a few. I like the SE-R's, Subaru Legacy is in that range (spring for the 2.5GT at minimum), Maxima for sure, Protege's are great as well.
Of course $4000 should net you a very nice Civilian 'Vic too, though you lose the performance goodies of the P71-VIN Code Interceptor.
E28 BMW 535? Alfa Milano (but only if you are good at working on cars), Mercedes 300 Turbodiesel?
Infiniti G20 (same SE-R engine, better DD), turbo Saab, Jetta, turbo Volvo, Cressida, Mazda Millenia, two miatas welded together?
The civic is a good idea, aside from the seating 4 part. Will passengers be children or adaults. I recently took a trip in the back of an '04 civic and it was ok for the first 1/2 hour. After that, I have been more comfortable in the back of a neon.
Miata with a jump seat and an aero trailer for storage
Q45? Not sure what you might find for 4K though
poor fuel economy with the Q. asks for premium as well.
G20 was a good suggestion Cressidas and Millenias are both too slow for how much gas they use. e28 535i won't get 30mpg either :( , would be a great car though.
1997-2001 Lexus ES300 can be had in that price range... nothing sporty about it but its comfy, quiet and good on gas.
There's one in my family. They report 25mpg on the road. 19-20 in town. Okay-ish imo.
However! probably $500 in repairs and maintenance per 100,000 miles.
I had one myself for 6 drama free months. Almost fell asleep at the wheel more than once(okay not really). More isolating than I personally like.
Can I just say Maxima one more time
P71 wrote: Cop car!
I concur
OK, I'll humor you Max guys. Where do I edjumacate myself on these Maxima things?
And the +30mpg is not written in stone, would be nice but the 'Tour got 23-25mpg so as long as it isn't worse than that I'd be OK. I like the fact the Bimmers are Right Wheel Drive....
EDIT - I've already done the ex-cop car thing with a '95 9C1, not really interested in trying it with a Vic at this point.
I'd like to add in 95+ Protege ES into the mix. Very fun to drive, 4 would fit no problem, near 30 mpg and reliable. A Protege 5 would fit the bill but out of your price range.
The nicest Maxima you can find would be very reliable. I only was able to get 28 - 29 mpg in mine on an interstate trip. Mostly it gave up 22-24 mpg around town.
What a great car tho. It never, never failed on me. Ran like a top. All options worked at 165k. Still was respectably fast as it hadn't lost any of the 190 stock horses.
fastEddie wrote: OK, I'll humor you Max guys. Where do I edjumacate myself on these Maxima things?
The whole is worth more than the sum on this one. You can read up about them on maxima.org I guess, but nothing's going to beat some first person, real-world, touchy feelyness.
If you find one with a stick do NOT test drive it unless you're ready to buy that minute. 3.0 liter VQ's don't burn oil, leak oil, or break down. Pretty much EVER.
What about late-90's twin cam Saturns with +100k miles? Anything to be concerned about?
I'd love a 5-spd SW2 but there are none forsale close (within 100 miles) at least from a quick check on autotrader.com so I'm looking at SL2s. Still need to check into Max's, and turbo bricks.
They burn some oil from piston rings that are baked into their grooves. It's really just a good bargaining chip while shopping, not a reason to stay away. I do a seafoam soak once a year and just keep driving 'em.
They're an easy car to work on. Timing chain not belt(like the max's).
Great mileage. 35 on the highway at a bare minimum.
I'd recommend one for sure.
A maxima is still way more car. But if I found a SW2-m I liked ,I sure wouldn't turn away.
Ok, 'Tour is officially totalled so I need to get serious about a replacement.
What's a good minimal ricer Honda site (with a good classified section too)? I wouldn't be opposed to picking up a swapped Civic similar to David's.
What about a '94 318i with 180k on it? Run away or check it out first?
Bang out that ding and pocket the rest.
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