its ironic that you are choosing between VTi and EXi on the basis of mileage. there is something called class...
Although this sounds a bit extreme but when i was searching for a 7th gen, i didnt even considered an EXi. How much can you afford to loose even after buying a 7th gen? VTEC, ABS, 16 inch tires with factory alloys, retractable side mirrors, height adjustment for driver seat, etc.
these cars are not meant to be very efficient, my suggestion would be to keep this as a family car and buy a small one for daily running.