I'll have to agree with stangrunner for these reasons:
a 4 banger stang will only get like 23-25 mpg highway (i had one) and an escort gets much better mpg because it's lighter and has a smaller engine.
An escort will have VERY cheap replacement parts that are easy to come across and are very easy to purchase in good condition. Everyone wants a honda or acura but parts are more expensive and for your price range chances are the cars will be higher mileage and at best have had "decent" upkeep.
I'm not a big fan of cheap import cars for the reason that if something fails it basically "totals" the car because you'll pay more to fix it than you payed for the car, or even some parts are just hard to find. Basically all the cars you listed are good commuter cars though, and i don't think you can go wrong if you find any one of those in good condition.
Side note:
I think those 1.0 3 cylinder Geo Metros sound AWESOME! That engine just has a cool angry hampster sound to it
, the engine actually does sound cool though, but is GUTLESS AS HELL. but that's one way to get consistent 40mpg.
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previous name: 84stangLX
'84 Mustang 5.0 LX
my LX
'89 Mustang GT
my GT