There are some nice 1911's in the for sale forum? You could get a new gun and then get an old pickup for 3K. I don't know about reliability and mpg's though.

Actually, I bought and 02 Mercury Sable Wagon (Taurus) last year with the s-model engine for 2800. I get 24-26 in town and can get 34+ on the freeway loaded with kids and luggage. It is ugly as sin but it has been reliable and well on gas.