AutoVIBES: New-Car Picks in the $20,000 range

So, you've read up on how to buy a new car and are ready to take the plunge. Let's look at a few models currently available that will not break the bank, but still provide you with low-stress driving for the years to come as you figure out where the heck it is you are headed. Within $3,000-$4,000 of the $20,000 mark (either less or more), your budget will grant you a multitude of exciting options - slightly more exciting that what $10,000-15,000 can buy you in today's market. I recommend making a shopping list and testing multiple cars in your desired genre:

The "Sporty" Student: The Subaru WRX (for $23,995) is the ultimate value if you want a performance vehicle. In a compact package weighing just a hair over 3,000 pounds, the turbocharged engine produces 230 horsepower and is capable of callously whipping the car's occupants against the seatbacks while achieving relatively good gas mileage (about 24 miles per gallon on average). The boisterous, almost rambunctious mantra of the WRX is not for everyone; drivers will not be cushioned over bumps or enjoy a lack of wind noise on highway stretches. Throw 'er into a sharp curve at naughty speeds, though, and the smile on your face will be hard to peel off. This joyride is subtle in appearance yet far from tamed, most appreciated by the true enthusiast. The WRX is a reasonably priced sedan with all-wheel drive in a class all its own; it cannot be matched for the price if performance is what you seek. Your shopping list might also include: Mini Cooper, Dodge Caliber SRT-4, Volkswagen GTI, and Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

The "Sport-Ute" Student: Sport utility vehicles are far from encouraged by today's environmentally conscious culture, but if you do find yourself with the desire (or need) for a well-priced workhorse, the Nissan Xterra S ($23,785) will do the trick. For the price, it is hard to beat the Xterra's ample size, off-road capability, and fun-to-drive quotient.

Debatably "overpowered" for its 4,300-pound curb weight, the 4.0L V6 dominates the competition with a whopping 265 horsepower and a 0-60mph acceleration of 7.1 seconds. While only four-wheel drive versions can tear up the backcountry, every Xterra includes a complete first-aid kit and an atop-roof storage container for additional items acquired on the adventure. Although a heavier steering feel can be a bit laboring in tight quarters around town, highway driving is smooth for an SUV of this genre; occasional bumps result from the rugged truck frame and will jar passengers on rough pavement, drivers must get used to the very grippy brakes. Achieving 22 mpg on the highway, the Xterra is less piggish than most other midsize SUVs and more fun to boot. Your shopping list might also include: Jeep Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee V6, Ford Escape XLT, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Honda CRV.

The "Point A to Point B" Student: In an industry full of compact and sub-compact "econo-boxes" it is hard to find the few that do the same job as the market mainstays with a bit more "panache," style, and distinctiveness. While the reliability and value of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla cannot be contested, the Mazda 3 alternative (S-touring model is $18,425) is perhaps a bit different. Here's why: The interior seems instantly more sophisticated with attractive red/blue lighting at night, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and ergonomic, circular gauges. The 2.3L engine with 156 horsepower is more than ample compared with other "basic" sedans and helps the 2,800 pound sedan feel sporty, energetic, and able to live up to Mazda's "zoom, zoom, zoom" advertising slogan. Want the touch of luxury largely unavailable in this price segment? For $19,895, the interior of the S Grand touring model includes luxuries such as heated leather seats, xenon headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. If you didn't know better, you would truly think you were in an Audi. All in all, the Mazda 3's styling is more understated than the Civic's (thank you, Mazda), and far more interesting than the "blobbish" appearance of the Corolla. At a fair price and achieving gas mileage in the 30 mpg range, the Mazda 3 deserves a long, hard look for anyone who wants simple transportation with a touch of character.

Your shopping list might also include: Honda Civic LX/EX, Toyota Corolla LE, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus, and Nissan Sentra.

Note: Check out these models and more of the competition at the upcoming New England International Auto Show: Nov. 28-Dec. 2 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston. Get details at http://www.paragonexpo.com/189.html/. This is a truly something to see for enthusiasts and potential buyers alike. Keep on revvin'!