Everyone I've spoken to that had a Dart liked it. If you can find an unthrashed Focus or Cruze, you can probably get it cheaper than a comparable Civic or Corolla. My younger daughter just turned 14, and the cars I mentioned are the ones I will be looking to get for her. Market has changed, but 2.5 years ago, I picked up an 06 Civic with 96k on it for my older daughter. Car has been flawless, has 124k on it now. I've done brakes, tires, belts, hoses, fluids, and rear stabilizer links and bushings. I've got about $5k in it, including purchase price.

Avoid anything European. My $.02.