By Siavash Emamzadeh

a car,
you may be discouraged by the new obstacles
you will face. Choosing the right vehicle is no

longer only about its price tag and whether it accommodates

your needs. There’s the battered economy and unstable fuel
prices to account for, in addition to a quandary specific to
college students.

This quandary is rooted in the war that rages on
between our heart and brain—do I opt for the cool car or go
with the safe choice? Obviously, we can’t do much about
the economy and gas prices, but the quandary is something
we can address.

Many people would argue that when we’re faced with
this heart vs. brain decision, there is no such thing as a
compromise. The popular belief is that American cars boast
only stylish looks and massive power, whereas Toyota,
Honda and their counterparts provide unmatched longevity,
reliability and cost-saving features.

Just think of the legendary muscle cars, like the Ford
Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. All of
these American cars don menacing looks and a whole lot
of horsepower to boot, but don’t really last for a very long

|: you’re a student looking to buy

 

time.

But just like every generalization, there are exceptions.
Although American cars may not be very reliable and
long-lasting, some Japanese cars do possess these traits in
addition to head-turning looks. And there are a handful of
them that make a feasible choice for college students.

For example, the newest Honda Civic, a Japanese-
produced car, is very stylish and reliable, as per Honda
standards. One of the best, if not the best compact car out
there, it is a terrific choice for collegians who have a limited
budget to work with. A price of $18,390 will fetch you a

Bato

 

  

Civic coupe with a very youth-inspired exterior and interior,
and a 4-speaker audio system consisting of AM/FM radio
and a CD player with MP3 compatibility. It may not be a
Camaro, but it will give you 28 city miles per gallon and
most importantly, the don’t-mess-with-me look.

But if you’re into trucks, then Toyota’s compact
pickup, the Tacoma, may suit you well. Redesigned in 2005,
the Tacoma sports a fresh and bold face, complemented by
its bigger frame. For $21,385, you can buy the four-speed
automatic trim and enjoy 21 city miles per gallon, which
compared to the truck average of 15 miles per gallon,
is awesome. With room for three other passengers, you
can invite a couple of friends and flaunt your truck’s six
speakers, blasting either AM/FM radio or music from your
CD or MP3 player. And don’t forget that this truck will run
great for a long time (granted you take good care of it).

Owning these cars will resolve the brain vs. heart
quandary and all of the other past and present criteria for
buying the best car.

And finally, I feel obliged to mention that I’m not in
any way affiliated with Honda or Toyota even though the
above may appear like a sales pitch. Honestly.