Funny, no one has recommended the vehicles rated recommended (top rating) by Lemon-Aid Used Cars and Trucks 2012-2013 edition, which I took some notes from last night. I'm interested in smaller cars that sip gas, so the ones I noted were:

Mazda 3 2006-10
Hyundai Elantra 2007-10, above average 1999-2006,
Toyota Echo 2000-2005

I drove an Echo recently. It feels like one of the original econoboxes I remember when they first came out in the late 70s. Not sporty handling, but very cheap to buy, run, and repair.

Another one of interest to me is the Acura EL, because it is fully made in Canada, which makes it cheap to buy and repair.

Thanks for all replies. I'll check out the Subaru Legacy when I have a chance.