In my opinion the best kept secret in affordable, reliable, cars with decent performance is the Peugeot 306 XSi. On my recommendation my father bought one last year and loves it. He paid �3,500 from a dealer for an R reg with only 50,000 odd on the clock. They are well built, go and handle really wel, and are reasonable to insure.They easily do 35 to the gallon and have room inside for four plus a big boot. I am 6ft and dont touch the headlining so I am sure you would be comfortable in it. Plus they are well equipped, nice interior with sports seats, electric windows and A/c, plus metalic paint and alloys.