actually the proton 1.5L Megavalve (with carburettor) is pretty reliable, not the newer 1.5L fuel injection. Pretty fuel efficient (for manual version, auto ones drinks like a fish)... parts are aplenty, any Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu workshop can fix it. Good runabout car..
But if proton is out of the pic, I'd go for Sentra or the Toyota... Both are pretty reliable, PPAG (pump petrol and go) cars... The Civic is pretty much racer boy wannabe cars where as the sentra and corolla are mostly family cars but there are some still modded ones.. So getting a fair condition stock Sentra and Corolla wouldn't b too difficult.
UDM needs TLC, won't advise that unless he's prepared, mentally and financially, to take the plunge... Then he may not have time (and money) left to have GF.. hahaha....