A 2.0L Civic FD or Lancer GT-A will be a good daily car. The gas expense will always be there even if you have a car with a smaller engine. You just don't expect low fuel consumption with cars with a more performance-oriented engine. Some folks even use Accords or Mazda6 as daily drivers as they feel the power, performance, and comfort outweigh the extra fuel expense.

If you want power and performance coupled with decent fuel efficiency, you might as well get the new Mazda3 SkyActiv 2.0L or the new Focus 1.5L Ecoboost (if you want more power).