Thanks a lot! Such a drag...BMWs used to be such great cars.
Gas mileage matters somewhat but it's part of a mix of factors including making the right impression, (nice car but not too flashy, etc.), how enjoyable it is and of course, reliability.
From a pure Moneyball a perspective, it has to be a Prius or other Japanese or domestic box. Priuses do not break, (I'm serious), and get 50 mpg city. Oh yeah, it's almost all city driving, not highway.
I'm really trying to justify a BMW but probably won't work. A fwd car from Honda or Acura might work but I can't hate it. I'll be in it quite a bit.
Gas mileage rules out any real high performance cars, I was thinking 6-banger BMW.