Help with car choice

I know absolutely nothing about cars. At all. Let's say I have $10-$15K to spend on a brand new car. I've never driven before and have no idea what all those letters and numbers mean when you're chosing body styles, packages, options, like you see at vehix.com, so I'm completely lost. All I need is a nice light or medium blue metallic can't-miss-it color so it's easy to find in parking lots at night, has the best mileage you can find, and easy-to-find parts that I don't have to mess with too much, that will last forever and is perfect for a beginner. Oh, yeah, I'd like to be able to listen to CDs and have it turn itself on in the winter to warm up, and a security alarm, and lots of safety stuff. It doens't have to look fancy at all, and I most definitely won't be speeding anywhere. Something really easy to handle. something that won't crunch up like a cereal box if I get hit anywhere. What would you recommend and what sort of parts/items do I need to specify? Be reeeallly specific if you can. Thanks very much for suggestions!

I know absolutely nothing about cars. At all. Let's say I have $10-$15K to spend on a brand new car. I've never driven before and have no idea what all those letters and numbers mean when you're chosing body styles, packages, options, like you see at vehix.com, so I'm completely lost. All I need is a nice light or medium blue metallic can't-miss-it color so it's easy to find in parking lots at night, has the best mileage you can find, and easy-to-find parts that I don't have to mess with too much, that will last forever and is perfect for a beginner. Oh, yeah, I'd like to be able to listen to CDs and have it turn itself on in the winter to warm up, and a security alarm, and lots of safety stuff. It doens't have to look fancy at all, and I most definitely won't be speeding anywhere. Something really easy to handle. something that won't crunch up like a cereal box if I get hit anywhere. What would you recommend and what sort of parts/items do I need to specify? Be reeeallly specific if you can. Thanks very much for suggestions!

go with a 01-05 honda accord. they get good mileage, not a lot of problems (its a honda). nice care, not to big not to small. you can get them with cd players you may have to get a remote starter for it and have it installed, i'm not sure if they come with them.

the only cars that come with factory remote starters right now are GM's, namely the Malibu and Pontiac G6, you can't get one for 15k yet though with that option package.

Ok, let's say it's a Honda Accord then. I want to buy the most for the least. I go to vehix.com and put in Honda Accord in new cars. What's all this stuff under "trim" and "body style"? Let's say I want a sedan, because I like 4 doors. What is 3.0 EX 5AT? Or DX? Or 3.0 EX ULEV 5AT with Leather navigation? I put it LX SRS just to put something in there. Then I put in Eternal Blue Pearl because they didn't have a nice light metallic blue. Let's say I'd rather spend $20k and have what I want that's all worth the $20k. What does all this stuff mean? Do I need to know it--is it important? I'll take a look at the GMs too though, for the automatic remote start. Thanks for the help. :)

Heh, how about somebody out there who loves to look at cars just put one together for me? Top requirements are: 1.Easy to handle 2. Safety 3.Excellent mileage 4.Longlasting 5.CD player. 6.Bright metallic can't-miss-it blue if I can. I really love bright blue. Dark royal blue is second choice, with white third. I want to be easily seen. 7. I can put in a remote starter if I want to. :)

3.0 EX means it has the 3.0 Liter V6 engine
5AT means it has a 5 speed automatic transmission

have you looked at a new 2005 toyota corolla?, it sips gas [32mpg], toyota reliability, which means the car will rust to the ground before anything mechanically goes around, not a speed demon and awesome on insurance. toyota service is also very reputiable. by what you described, this car sounds like the best choice for you, IMO

Have you seen the corolla xr-s? Its quick if thats what your looking for. It has a 180hp celica motor.

Don't get a Corolla, it's the top 3 most stolen cars, that means insurance is going to be above average premium. And it's too tiny to be considered a long-term car. Get a V6 engine, Accord is ok, but it's the most stolen car. I'd go with a Camry, or Altima. But if you wan to easily spot ur car, Altima is the one, there are just way too many Camrys around. And Altima I believe has the bright blue metallic color you desire. It's most stylish too, and most power. Nissan rules!

Don't get a Corolla, it's the top 3 most stolen cars, that means insurance is going to be above average premium.

well, my mother owns a toyota corolla, we live in NYC, and her insurance is only 900 dollars a year, i dont think that is high at all. they are safe cars, and the new ones arent easy to steal at all.

and obviously the corolla is going to number 3 in stolen cars b/c it the number 3 car bought. Let me guess civic and cavalier are number 1 and 2 i guess that would make more sense. (more of them out there the higher the chance of being stolen)

And personally id buy a good reliable car for 5-6k and put the rest into looks and performance.