Super small hatchbacks, with big mileage

 

You mention big MPG's. The Focus is slightly bigger with very similar MPG's.

I don't think I would limit myself to the Fiesta, the new small Mazda with skyactiv technology is a good buy.

 

I'm thinking older and easy to trick out. Also Ford specific, exp, escort, and so on were also on the radar.

EXP would be a fun one, but they are rare and few nowadays

There's a fella a mile or so away who has a Fiesta with a Capri Turbo in it - all later 1990's year group cars. Owns a small herd of them, Fiesta and Festiva's both