I have an 04 EP3 and love it.
So far it has lost 250 lbs and will eventually lose 200 more (first 250=free, next 200=$$$). I plan on adding a six speed and several other mpg odds and ends. It gets between 32-37 mpg without highway use but my "around town is mostly 40-50 mph and traffic signals about every 2 or 3 miles. 40+ mpg doesn't seem unnattainable.
I'm also into performance (it will see Auto-x and track days) and weight is it's biggest problem. -450 lbs will also give it about 17% "free" whp.
Another handling weakness is the suspension system pretty much sucks by performance standards. I intend to modify it quite a bit. The suspension will be pretty stiff but I'm ok with that.
Why not get an old Crx? I intend to keep it for many years and as a dd this car has a huge cavern without the back seats, a great chassis, newer, and is super dependable. Plus there are only about 8 thousand of them around which makes them very uncommon and more so in the ensuing years.
Hasbro 
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