beaters what options do us mopar lovers have?

This is a long shot but if you can find a /6 D150 with a stick, buy it. That thing will run regardless of what parts may or may not be working right and still get high teens to low 20's for mileage. The V6 Dakota that my friend had did 17 mpg average. Not much better than your Dart but maybe more practical for daily abuse. Don't rule out a Neon. My wife currently drives hers 120 miles three days a week to work and back. It's got 180k on it and still runs and drives good. It's cracked up and squeaky but she has hit about a half dozen animals, been in the ditch three times and been shoved into a building, just to name a few. That thing has our respect.
If you can't find any of these that you like, I'd consider any GM with a 3.8 liter V6 in it. they run virtually forever.