What Car? $2.5K, efficient, reliable, undermaintained - Rust Belt Edition

Getting oddly specific with the title.  I have a family member that is likely going to be getting a car soon.  They don't have the best history with taking care of them, so there is a near 100% chance it will get neglected at times, and there is a pretty good chance it'll get abused, too.  Might be able to handle some of the maintenance work themselves, but any serious repairs will probably need to be done by a mechanic.  Should be reasonably fuel efficient, and bonus points for hatch/wagon.  And we're in the rust belt (southern Ohio), so a lot of stuff gets crusty way too fast around here, making repairs harder and breakdowns more likely.  I've come up with several of the usual suspects below, but figured I'd solicit ideas from the hive, in case there is something else.  No need for actual CL listings or anything, as I'm not sure when the search begins (though it may be just after Christmas):

So far I've come up with:

1. S10/Ranger 4 cylinder/5 speed - Getting one in the price range tends to insure it's pretty banged up and rusty around here.  But, it'd probably be one of the more practical vehicles for them to have.
2. Mazda Protege - Not overly common anymore here, but it seems like there are a few that aren't too rusty.  Am I correct in assuming the engine in them are non-interference?
3. Honda Civic/Acura Integra - Loads of them around in all sorts of condition, but hatches and coupes (to a lesser extent) bring a bit more of a premium.  Also, I'm concerned with this person neglecting timing belt service, and with it being an interference engine, that's a little scary.  They've also done in one already by letting it overheat and blowing the head gasket.  Theft may also be a concern where they live.
4. Toyota Corolla - Boredom personified.  For the early 2000 models, I'm thinking their main weakness was oil consumption.  Otherwise, the 3 and 4 speed autos were fairly sturdy, and the 5 speed isn't too bad.  This person isn't too picky, but might still not want one of these.  Also, if they have to keep an eye on oil level, I'd be afraid they'll forget a few times too often.
5. Nissan Sentra - If I can find a 90's model that isn't rusted apart, these seem good, but more likely it'd be at least an early 2000's model.  If I found an SE, they use the SR20 engine, so hopefully it's sturdy enough.  Is it interference, though?
6. Scion xA - Saw one on CL, and seems like they go cheap, haven't held their value like the old xBs.  Anything I should watch out for on them?
7. Buick LeSabre or Park Avenue - Probably a bit bigger than need be, but after a new set of intake gaskets, the 3800 seems to be about as indestructible as anything else out there.  In our area, though, these (and pretty much any GM W-body variant) suffer from disintegrating trailing arms, and the usual GM build quality.  Not sure if they have any other weak or strong points.
8. Ford Focus - other than rust, any major reliability issues with these?  They're easy to find around here cheap, and pre-abused.
9. Saturn SL and SW - If I could find a good one, maybe.  Oil consumption again is an issue, and after holding on for a long time, these appear to finally be disappearing from the roads.
10. Cobalt/G5 - I really don't know enough to know if these would be a good option.
11. Matrix/Vibe - seems like a good option, and doesn't look as boring as the Corolla it's based on.  Getting a little thin on the ground around here, but may be able to find a few good ones.

An Impreza or Legacy wagon seemed to have potential, but the risk of them being more maintenance intensive is a little too high.  Oddballs like Saab hatchbacks may be good, but are obscure enough to run the risk of higher parts and labor cost for repairs.

Anything else sound like a good idea?  Anyone from the OH/KY/IN area selling something ready to drive that would be good to go?

I have exactly the right car. 2007 Ford Focus ZX5. I was considering writing the classified ad yesterday but have not had the time. Then, yesterday someone locally told me they would be interested so I might go that way.  But... 

I also need to drive from Sandusky to Middletown later this week to pick up a car (which is drivable.)  My challenge with getting to Middletown has ben lining up a trailer or a second driver (and finding time in my schedule.)  

Wow, how cool if I could drive down the Focus and return in the other car.  

Buy the tucket back and ill deliver the 2wd ranger i have that perfecly rust free and 1500....

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

Your ad was actually one of the first things I thought of.  If it was for me, I probably wouldn't hesitate, but at its mileage it's in the "anything could fail at anytime" range.  Not a concern for my personal use, but I'm nervous trying to find something for them.  There are some family issues involved, and I'm trying to play it as safe as possible.

In reply to John Welsh :

Let me know how the local sale situation goes, but if it falls through, please send me the details.  I'll admit I'm a little leery, though - I've seen the difference between Cleveland rusty and Cincinnati rusty, and it's amazing the difference a 4 hour drive makes.

Dunno if this thread I started about an automotive charity is too far south.  Fredneck, MD. 

Not affiliated.

A Saab they're passing along.

I guess they didn't want to fix up a temperamental Euro car but an $800 Saab might work.  You or someone else would just have to fix it up a little first. 

lol, I just re-read you mentioned Saabs as an option. 

I’ve had really good luck with Hyundai Accents. #1 daughter is currently driving a 2009 3 door hatchback that we picked up for $500.  It’s been trouble free and is heavily neglected. Her previous car was a 2005 Accent that was turned into an ice racer. Still running strong and fairly competitive to boot.

Rangers should be easy to find in that price range. I prefer the 2.3l lima because they seem to stand up to abuse and neglect better. finding one not too rotted will be the hard part

S-10s are the only  vehicles I know of that run better the more you abuse them. They will run poorly longer than most cars will run at all. 

Details on 2007 Focus ZX5 

Also add to your list the Saturn Ion.  These are essentially what became the Chevy Cobalt.  They are small 4 door sedans.  They were made from '03 -'07.  I would aim for a '05-'07 which gets you improved chain guides.  These are the last of the plastic panel cars which is nice because the resist small dents but they also hide the appearance of being a rust bucket (though it may be rusty underneath) 

They seem to be totally overlooked by the buying public.   I see them at the auctions going really cheap for simple reasons.  Parts ar plentiful.  The drivetrain is the same as used in the Cobalt (2.2L with 4speed auto trans)

Avoid the coupes from '03-'05 since they used a CVT auto in the coupes which is crap but all 4 doors got 4 speeds.  

What about checking out the weekly Goodwill Auto Auction?   They send out each weeks’ list on Friday for that next days’ auction.  Auction site is in Glendale where 747 and 4 join up.

einy said:

What about checking out the weekly Goodwill Auto Auction?   They send out each weeks’ list on Friday for that next days’ auction.  Auction site is in Glendale where 747 and 4 join up.

If I haven't gotten anything by next Saturday, that may be in the cards.  I'd just need to find something that looks like it only needs about a weekend of work to be good to go.  Would also be dependent on me having my garage bay open.  My father-in-law has been working on his MG in there, and is waiting on parts he's ordered.

In reply to John Welsh :

Other than the CVT, anything to avoid about them?  I left them off the list, as they'd had one before and crashed it, but that's probably not a reason to disregard it.

The ecotech in the ion doesnt live long with neglect or abuse. My wifes had one for 12 years/ 120k (153k total on car)miles and the common issues are oil consumption and timing chain tensioner problems from extended oci's. Hers is just starting to burn oil but since 38k miles its been a quality oil every 3k. The engine is why i didnt recomend one up above. Its been a solid car thats needed nothing aside from sway bar endlinks it eats about every 30k miles.

Well, it turned out they were okay with an Ion, which is a good thing, as I was able to find them cheaper than most other equivalent cars.  Bought one tonight, drove it home in the snow very carefully, and going to take care of title work and registration with them tomorrow.  They've been informed it doesn't leave my driveway without insurance.