I've had my 1994 Tercel for about 4.5 years. It served me well throughout college, but now I'm an engineer

, working near D.C. I think it's time for something new, or at least newer. I've got some grand ideas, especially in the area of an integrated car computer, but need to get a car to house it all first.
I'm a little too cheap to buy new, but I definitely want something new-ish, and low mileage, in all likelihood a Corolla.
Right now I'm trying to figure out the sweet-spot year, definitely later than 96, probably early 2000s. I'll be scouring craigslist for a while!