FlyingV77--- I'm in the exact same situation. My Proton is my DD and my daily commute is a 50-mile round trip, so the miles are quickly racking up on the odometer and it stings my wallet everytime at the gas pump. Consequently, I'm looking for a DD with much better MPG, that's a 2-door coupe and fun to drive with a target purchase price of $10K.

My sights are dead set on getting a gently used 2006 MINI Cooper "S" (the 2006 MINI was the last model year of the original "smaller" size version). I haven't found the exact MINI yet, but I'm searching everyday.

I just checked-out Autotrader and Cars.com for MINI's under $6K and there are plenty out there. Perhaps a MINI Cooper might fit your goal.