those aspires will run seems like forever but problem around here is they rust out and fall apart.bearings you will be replacing almost every year as they are common problem.that car should get around 35 mpg tops.as far as i know that car is noisy and i personaly wouldnt ride that far with it every day but hey it is bargain at 1k.
if you decide to get jetta i would recoment 5 sp manual.my wife has auto 4 speed and it sucks on mpg.she averages around 24 mpg on city and highway combined and i belive we had 28 tops at highway.