Car Shopping for Style 101

So, are there "first time" cars available that at least bump the heart a little when we see them? Apparently so. And CNN took some time to identify them.

Hyundai Tiburon. The name alone provides something beyond "econo." Tiburon, which means 'shark' in Spanish, is in its third generation and shows a low-slung sportster appearance. Yet, it isn't a bank buster. So, you get a little style and save some cash at the same time.

Mazda MazdaSpeed3. Just the way the name is written introduces one to something a little beyond mundane. How much beyond? It hits 0 to 60 in six seconds and is reported to have a top speed of 155 miles per hour. And it provides more than just performance, it includes a pretty good seven-speaker Bose audio system. Sweet.

Pontiac G5 GT Coupe. Perhaps inspired by the Chevy Cobalt SS, the Pontiac G5 GT Coupe just plain looks good and won't leave you short in the wallet. And there are a lot of aftermarket add ons available so that you can make this car truly your own. The inline-four 2.4 liter engine generates 173 horsepower and hits 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. With gas mileage that is pretty good, your practical side -- the side that pushes toward the econo-box in the first place -- will be appeased.

Ford Mustang V6. We don't know; when we think Mustang, we think a little pricey. But we were probably thinking of the (optional) V8. (We are car enthusiasts after all!) The V6 and its 210 horsepower is more than enough for most folks. And, more importantly, for those first buyers out there who want to impress friends the most, it is, after all, a Mustang.

Honda Civic Coupe. On the opposite end of the Mustan, when we think of a nice, low priced, first car, we usually think of a Honda and, more specifically, a Civic. Seems to have always been that way. The car has more room than one might expect and its new look actually says sporty. It not only takes you where you want to go but it also entertains you with a 350-watt sound system, GPS navigation system which hides a CD player, and memory card so that you can play downloaded music from the Internet. And the dash features something akin to a light show when illuminated at night. Pretty cool.

Scion xB (pictured). It is true that the Scion has been opening up eyes of first time buyers for a little while now. Formerly it had a boxy appearance. Now the xB's become more stylish, reminding some of the FJ Cruiser -- wide rear pillars, wraparound headlights and bumper. It can seat five and it features a central console with a DVD player and GPS navigation system that provides a light show of its own -- you can choose one of 10 colors of light. And, of course, there are  plenty of aftermarket add ons for this car, too.

Honda Fit. People have described this car as energetic and filled with flair. Uh, huh. At least its roomy. There's no third row of seats, but when the back row is flat, the interior is almost cavernous. Decent gas mileage is coupled by the ability to integrate an MP3 player into the audio system through an input jack. Comfort is obtainable through reclining rear seat headrests.

Our take? So, there you go. Seven cars to consider. But don't just leave it up to the so-called pundits. Take caution to the wind and do some exploring. No doubt, you'll find something that satisfies both your practical side and your self-absorbed side.