Newer car purchase Options

[Taxiwardance]

Anybody have any experience with either the Mitsubishi Lancer ES (2004-2006) or the Nissan Sentra 1.8 S (2003-2006) I am looking to buy a car on Monday and have narrowed it down to the two. I can get the Sentra for 13,990 brand new off the lot or the Lancer 2004 for 10K with 30K miles. Both are autos. I drove the Sentra and it seemed OK but the ride wasn’t that great. Haven’t drove the Lancer in about a year but I drove stick when I took it for a test drive before. I have the wife and 2 kids and just looking for a cheap get around car with 4 doors and great gas mileage. Any opinions, will be buying first thing Monday so I can make a cross country trip and I can’t make up my mind. Any other cars I should be considering, under 13K if possible. Insurance is cheaper on American cars but I can’t find anything that gets good MPG and doesn’t look like a piece of ass (Aveo)!