Sure that shiny model you've been eyeing has plenty of showroom appeal. But is it practical for the way you live?

Your lifestyle is the first criterion to consider when shopping for a car, says Philip Reed, author of Edmunds.com's book Strategies for Smart Car Buyers. But we also know that you want to look good behind the wheel. To help you with your decision making, we've grouped 15 cars with great value--and great style--according to particular life stages: fresh out of college, single and upwardly mobile and family-centered. After all, your automotive purchases should be guided by your realities, not a whim.

Your First Car

What to Look For: Affordability, reliability and safety. Typically, people in this category really don't want to be reminded that they're economy shoppers. But we've found cars that won't require you to give up comfort and style in your quest for practicality. Our picks:

HONDA CIVIC COUPE (AUTOMOBILES.HONDA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: All new for 2006; great fuel efficiency; easy to drive; safe, affordable and reliable.

SPECS: Base engine 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder; five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $15,110

NISSAN VERSA (NISSANUSA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Subcompact design; stylish interior; great gas mileage; cool convenience features like Bluetooth phone and keyless entry and start.

SPECS: Base engine 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder;, six-speed manual, four-speed automatic or continuously variable transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: estimated $12,000

VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT (VW.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: More spacious and more powerful than its predecessor. Its high-quality interior and design give this economically priced car a luxury feel.

SPECS: Base engine 150-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder;, five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $16,990

CHEVROLET COBALT (CHEVYCOBALT.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Smooth, quiet ride on the highway; frugal on fuel; generous trunk space; high crash-test scores.

SPECS: Base engine 145-horsepower, 2.2-liter, inline four-cylinder; five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $12,990

MAZDA3 (MAZDAUSA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Agile and responsive on the road; four-door models feature a huge trunk; hatchback version can accommodate lots of cargo.

SPECS: Base engine 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder; five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $15,150

Life in the Fast Lane

If you believe the phrase "drop-dead gorgeous" should apply equally to you and your automobile, you, my sister, are in luck. The latest entries in this category are perfect for the single and successful set:

BMW Z4 M ROADSTER (BMWUSA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Ultrasexy body; enhanced suspension system that enables the car to go around curves faster; bigger brakes to stop on a dime.

SPECS: 330-horsepower, 3.2-liter, in-line, six-cylinder engine; six-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $51,995

VOLVO C70 (VOLVOCARS.US)

WHAT WE LIKE: A hardtop coupe and a convertible in the same delicious package; strong reputation for reliability and safety.

SPECS: 218-horsepower, 2.5-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder engine; six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $39,405

INFINITI G35 COUPE (INFINITIUSA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Sporty look and feel; full complement of luxury features such as leather interior, automatic climate control and power seats; based largely on Nissan's 350Z, so it capitalizes on the Z's sports-car attributes, then enhances them with a dash of class.

SPECS: Base engine 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V6 engine; six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $33,850

MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 (MBUSA.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Gorgeous design with scintillating lines and posh interior; destined to be a classic.

SPECS: 302-horsepower, 5.0-liter, V8 engine; seven-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $55,125

CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE (CHEVROLET.COM/CORVETTE)

WHAT WE LIKE: Six-speed automatic transmission; high performance at good value; gorgeous drop-top.

SPECS: 400-horsepower, 6.0-liter, V8 engine; six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive.

BASE PRICE: $52,190

The Ultimate Mom Mobiles

Settling into responsibility and having the needs of a family to consider require a vehicle with a bit more space for people and all their things. Comfort, as well as easy entering and exiting, is likely to be high on the list of attributes, too.

DODGE MAGNUM (DODGE.COM)

WHAT WE LIKE: Lots of space; rear liftgate swings up instead of out to make it usable in tight places; larger cargo opening.