Replace Dodge Omni with...?

Could you knowledgable folk suggest a replacement for my '89 Dodge Omni
America (aka Plymouth Horizon)? It's an automatic, 4 door hatchback. I
want a similar, or slightly larger, 3 to 4 year old used car with good
cargo space, to drive 5,000 miles/yr. without too much aggravation,
despite my NYC metro location.

I like my Omni and want similar features:
1- Good mpg - 24/28 (better is better);
2- Small outside, roomy inside
(15.6 cu.ft. "trunk" - more is more);
3- Hatchback & folding seat let me lug bulky or long stuff; hard hatch
cover keeps stuff out of sight;
4- Peppy driving - always first away from red light w/o trying;
5- Inexpensive - to buy, operate & insure (relatively speaking);
6- Convenient - good visibility, easy to park, rear washer/wiper;
7- Simple & Sturdy - real bumpers, manual windows, locks, mirrors, etc.
(only power steering), fuel injection, stainless steel exhaust (still
OEM.)

Thanks for your input. Google hasn't helped much. - RDG

 

Try a Honda Odyssey. The older one with 4 doors and 4 cylinder engine.
Unpopular due to size but it is your gain.

 

I have/had a 90 Omni. Total beast. It is now the winter sacrificial anode.

I have a 98 Civic HX. Can not be beat. 50-54 miles per gallon.
Handles like a race car. Not as much room in the back, but the
back seats go down and I can carry almost as much.

 

Had an 89 Horizon, a few cars since, and now drive a 98 Neon. Similar, but
with more room, and cargo flexibility and more pep. I can't see buying a
new Neon, but used ones can be had for cheap. If you're going to keep it a
little while, check out the newer bodystyle (2000 or later I think) and
don't worry too much about getting the 150HP motor over the 132 (I don't
think the difference is very significant at all...) My generic one handles
pretty decent, but an R/T should be sportier (but not as smooth). If you
want more guts you can check out the SRT-4 at ~$20k (and although it may be
a good match to your needs, I recommend looking at the other ~$20k-ish
vehicles out there just so you know what's available).

 

Thanks to all for your very helpful information. The cars that have
been suggested to me most often are the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Ford
Escort, Honda Civic, Dodge Neon, Toyota Echo, Chrysler PT Cruiser,
Subaru Outback and Mazda Protege 5, including wagons. So I'll start
looking harder at these and move on to other models until have a short
list of vehicles that would be good for my needs.

Thanks again. I appreciate it. - RDG

 

I'm sorry but I need to respond to this even though its kind of a rant.
I find it amazing that you actually had a Dodge Omni that ran well and is
still running. I had an 86 and could only stand it for 6 months. What an
incredible piece of junk.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, why don't you take a look at a
Toyota Matrix. Great car, decent price. Outstanding reliability.