I'm doing to disect this a bit:
What's gotta be there:
1) Manual trans
<-- can be a GREAT thing--just not for a new driver, the less things for you to do the better
2) No less than 16 MPG city
<-- a realistic goal
3) Not so tough on insurance
<-- would be hard to find any good RWD car for that one
4) Typically reliable
<-- realistic goal
5) Less than 4,000
<-- going to be hard to find a reliable car for $4,000 that isn't either a beater or something that your insurance will rape you
At the moment, my considerations list looks like this:
1) V6 96-04 Ford Mustang
<-- Avoid the 1994-1998 V6's like the plague--they suck all the way around. The '99-2004 models are ok--and in 5spd trim quite fun to chuck around corners.
2) V6 94-02 Chevy Camaro
<-- lower your years to starting @ 1987 and you'll be able to find one quite nicely in good shape. A V6 Camaro can be turbo'd to be just as fast as the 305 models...and depending on your wallet faster than the higher V8 models.
3) V6 94-02 Pontiac Firebird
<-- *see above
4) Ford F-150 (Auto is ok here)
<-- insurance will be more than a Camaro
5) Ford Bronco/Bronco II (Auto ok here)
<-- *see above
Your choices are somewhat limited, but a Mustang (non-4cyl and 1999+) and Fbody (Camaro/Firebird) will be reliable as a wood burning stove. You should open up to some FWD cars...there are quite good ones that are quick or semi-quick and handle great. 1990-1998 Nissan 200SX SE-R is one, 1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO, 1998-2000 Ford Contour SVT, 4th and 5th gen Honda Prelude, 2000-2001 Ford Focus hatch, an old VW Golf/Jetta, 1994-1998 Toyota Celica, 1993-1997 Ford Probe, 1993-1997 Mazda MX6, Mazda MX3, and a 1992-1993 Geo Storm GSi--which is an Isuzu Impulse/Piazza. Don't laugh because the Geo Storm in 1992-1993 had 140bhp and it only weighed 2,200 lbs, 0-60mph was 7 seconds flat. Not bad.
Pics of my choices:
1990-1994 Nissan 200SX SE-R:
1995-1998 Nissan 200SX SE-R (1998 pictured):
1992-1995 Ford Taurus SHO:
1998-2000 Ford Contour SVT:
1992-1996 Honda Prelude (4th gen):
1997-2001 Honda Prelude (5th gen and my favorite):
2000-2004 Ford Focus ZX3:
I can't find any unmolested pics of a VW Golf MKII or MKIII that was shipped to the US.
1994-1998 Toyota Celica (GT preferred):
1993-1997 Ford Probe GT:
1993-1997 Mazda MX6
1991-1998 Mazda MX3:
1992-1993 Geo Storm GSi:
While what you say is generally true, there are exceptions. Mustangs and Camaros are always the main exceptions.
If you want good power and RWD, a better alternative would actually be a 7th generation Ford Thunderbird (Superbirds):
They are faster, handle better and are nicer put together than Mustangs. You could either get them with 4.6L V8s, 5.0L V8s or the infamous Supercharged 3.8L V6. Insurance would be much cheaper than a Mustang, you could get the supercharged ones with 5 speeds and they get identical mileage to Mustangs of the same vintage (18-20 MPG combined). They would probably even be cheaper than a Mustang of the same vintage, and they are far more stealthy.
And look at them all!
Errr, avoid that generation (1989-1997) like the plague. They are hugely unreliable in 3.8L V6 form and the V8 models (302 5.0L 1991-1993, 281 4.6L Modular 1994-1997) are much slower than the Mutang GT because the Tbird weighs as much as an Oil Tanker. AND since I have owned one I can tell you they are NOT reliable what-so-ever in ANY V6 trim. The V8 models were reliable. The CORRECT Thunderbird to get is the "Aero Bird" 1983-1988, there was a Turbo Coupe and a model with a Mustang 5.0 V8 as well. The curb weight of this generation was only 200lbs heavier than a Mustang of equal engine choice. They did have slightly less power, but still the Turbo Coupe was fast. And, the Turbo Coupe had the Mustang SVO drivetrain (2.3L turbo) producing 190bhp while the 5.0 model was only 140bhp--but had an assload of torque. The Turbo Coupe was faster than the Supercoupe from the "Super Bird" Thunderbird generation. Plus the "Aero Bird" generation will be a collector's item in about 5-10 years...the "Super Bird" generation is rubbish and will never be a classic. They look good don't get me wrong and make all the right noises...they are just slow and heavy. The interiors are decent too, especially for a 1990's American car.
Still to this day this is my favorite looking Thunderbird ever:
The Superbird nomination is a good one. All of these years later, I still say its one of the best cars of the '90s. Ford did a good job with it, and you'd likely be able to find some pretty excellent examples in good shape with a bit of digging. However, I personally like the Turbo "Aero Bird" Thunderbirds from the late '80s...
Absolutely awesome. My uncle had one, what a fast car at the time...
Or, if you really want to get nostalgic and make some Ford fans jealous, try to find the ol' SVO Mustang:
Now, I'm not saying that I like it better than the GT with the V8. But come on... A turbocharged I4 in a Mustang that was actually quite fast and ahead of its time? Priceless!
=====
And if you can stomach the idea of a FWD car, I think you've missed one great car. Possibly one of the best cars America ever built:
Big power, a real manual transmission in an otherwise "full size" car, a wonderfully smooth V6... The only problem is that the power is through the front. Hell, Conan O'Brien had one, and he loved it! Just a wonderful car it is!
SVO Mustang FTMFW!
+1 on the Taurus SHO. GREAT first car. If you must have RWD, I'd say a Miata or 240 would be a more economical choice as far as gas mileage and reliability. Otherwise, I'm gonna recommend the first car I think everyone should have: Corolla. Camry if you want a little more car all-around.
+1 The Taurus SHO from 1992-1995 is just the business. I want one.
*edit*
Do I get points for having one long ass post?
Well, it most likely stayed at the same cost.
