Best combination of reliability and Fuel Economy for P/U's,SUV's or Minivans
 

A friend of mine does charity work with animals and needs something better then her 200SX to transport them.

Shes only looking to spend about $3000 or so.

I'm guessing Ford Rangers or Toyota pickups her best bet?

Do a "search by class" at https://www.fueleconomy.gov. That ought to help narrow the field quickly.

Are we talking Shetland ponies, goats, potbellied pigs, or cats, dogs, rabbits?

Get a cheap used Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van!

I'd tend to suggest a minivan over a truck, since she would probably want sick animals in a heated compartment in the winter. In the city a Mercury Village/Nissan Quest is probably a tad better on gas, or a Caravan with the 2.4 or 2.5 4 banger. If there's lots of out of town running then a dustbuster GM van with the 3.8 might be better. An Eagle Summit Wagon might be worth a look as well, or a the Mitsu version of the same. Was there's a tall civic or tercel wagon too?? PT cruiser might also fit the bill, be a tad cheaper in town than most minis, but think that $3000 might not get a very good one if it gets one at all.

cats :)

I kind of wish they still made the Civic Wagon (This One). That was my first car and while I thought it was totally uncool when I was 16 (beige, rusted, gold rims, smelled like gas inside, 260K miles....) it was a great car. It seemed to sit a little taller than the standard civic and had lots of room in the back, plus it got great FE. The FIT is sort of the newer version of it, although it is a tad smaller.

Also I have never heard of a PT cruiser with good FE. But if the PT cruiser has good enough FE for you I think the CRV would be a better choice. EDIT: Sorry I missed your budget requirements. Your best bet would be a town and country.