Fuel efficient family hauler, fast

You should check out if you can fit your stuff into a Honda Fit. I've fit over a dozen 8' 2x8's in mine with the front seat down. You can even 3 people plus 8' stuff by putting half the back seat up; half down.

The next step up in size would be a Mazda 5, which is kind of a small minivan and would be close for fitting 7' behind the front seats without the back seats.

And the usual suspects for reliable low cost of ownership minivans would be the Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, and Honda Odyssey.

mwcten suggested my two top picks-

The Honda Fit seems to defy the laws of physics when it comes to interior space. Somehow it has more space inside than significantly larger cars. The folding front seat also helps with long items. They're very good cars with excellent reliability, great fuel economy and they're fun to drive (especially with manual transmission).

The Mazda5 is another great choice. Go for a 2012-2014 model, they have the upgraded 2.5L engine versus the 2.3L in the 2006-2010 models (there was no 2011). The updated styling introduced in 2012 also improved the looks quite a bit. It also has the unique ability (for a vehicle of this size) to carry six passengers). The middle row has captains chairs with dual armrests and they can move 6" back/forward to make more room for second or third row passengers. The entry-level Sport is well-equipped, but the mid-level Touring is a nice upgrade.

I like both the Fit and the Mazda5, but neither is quick and I'm not sure they can carry a seven-foot-long object. The Mazda might be able to.

Only minivans and largish crossovers can fit a seven-foot-long object behind the driver seat. If you don't need the front passenger seat, these fold on some vehicles.

Fast compacts with folding front passenger seats include...

Chevrolet offered the compact retro-styled HHR with a 250-260 horsepower turbo engine through 2010. Reliability isn't great, but they offer a rare combination of quick acceleration, compact dynamics, and cargo space.

My wife used to have the similar Chrysler PT Cruiser. I carried seven-foot bookcases in it with the hatch closed.

Various fairly quick Saabs, Volvos, and VWs (including the Tiguan) also offer this feature. reliability isn't a strength with these either, though, especially not once they're available for $12,000.

For better reliability than the above, you might check whether the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix have enough cargo space. They're fairly quick when powered by the 158-horspower 2.4-liter engine (offered in top trim levels, GT in the Vibe). The 2003-2008 version was offered with a high-revving 180-horsepower engine, but possibly only with a manual transmission.

If you want a seven-foot cargo floor behind the driver seat, then ignore all of the above except possible the Volvo V70 wagon.