Best bang-for-the-buck car under $4000

okay everyone, i have an interesting situation..

i came into a pretty good sized chunk of money about a week ago. i've been thinking of what i can do with it.. obviously the SVX is way up on the priority list.. i figure it'll cost a good couple thousand to get it in pristine shape.

the thing is, i'd like to use some of this money to make MORE money, instead of just spending it all on my car.

CD's and traditional investments are fine and good, but i'm looking for something a little quicker than that. for awhile i've been toying with the idea of finding a good buy on a decent used car, putting a few dollars into it, and trying to sell it for a profit.

can anyone point me at a car which is generally inexpensive, reliable, and easy to sell?

i also thought that it'd be pretty easy to buy a Civic for $3,000, put $2000 worth of rice on it, and sell it for $7,500..

anyone have any thoughts?

-adam