Which Car 'Type' Is Right for You?

The sheer variety of cars is staggering -- but read on, and you'll find out which one is right for you.

There's a car out there for every kind of person and personality, and if you can figure out what you're trying to accomplish with your new ride, shopping for it will be that much easier.

Here are a few suggestions for the best choice for any situation:

Best Bet for a First-Time Driver
Honda Civic

Teens might want to stop reading now, because you won't like what you're going to hear. Parents know that for a first-time driver the primary concern is safety. Insurance Institute for Highway and Safety spokesman Russ Rader says slower sedans are best bets for new drivers -- while SUVs and ultracompact cars, despite being popular with the teen crowd, offer much less protection and are far from good ideas for a first time driver.

	Honda Civic

The Honda(HMC Quote) Civic (and for that matter much of Honda's car lineup) strikes that balance between teen and parent. Its 36 miles per gallon highway and high resale value make it excellent for the budget-conscious parent, and its consistently high crash test scores should help alleviate safety concerns.

For teens worried about image, the Civic is still compact and sporty enough to make them forget about those sports cars they were begging for.

Best Way to Get Around After Retirement
Ford Five Hundred

The older generation of drivers has a completely different set of priorities when it comes to car shopping than the teens have. Comfort and ease of use are the top things to look for, and you certainly won't find many senior citizens shopping based on the best sound system or top speed.