For a first car, I need something safe, reliable and affordable

I'm looking for my first car, having had the privilege (no sarcasm!) For the last five years driving a 2005 Toyota Corolla that belonged to my parents. I do a lot of highway driving but I live in town, so I do not want a tiny car, but I do not want anything too big. I probably could not afford a big car, anyway. I am mainly concerned about security, reliability and affordability. – Barry

Lightstone: Well, Barry, you might want to stick to what you know. If you really enjoyed the 2005 Corolla, go directly to a Toyota dealer, the all-new Corolla will be as reliable as your 13-year-old model, more sober and more modern. There will be a Bluetooth connection for your smartphone, for beginners.

Richardson: Good advice. The new Corolla is improved day and night on the old Corolla in terms of function and features, but Barry will always feel familiar. I have the impression that he wants to spread his wings a bit, however

Lightstone: The new Corolla will not drive much differently, even after 15 years of development, because she's won only two horses and still has a 1.8-liter engine. But Barry could be impressed by his 6.1-inch display screen and his dynamic cruise control. If he can drive the manual, he will touch about $ 18,500, or about $ 60 a week over five years when he rents. The lack of performance will not be missed.

Richardson: Most people do not want manual transmission, even if they know how to drive it.

Lightstone: True. The Corolla also comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission, which will start at about $ 22,000, or about $ 70 per week for rental.

Richardson: Barry will not get Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto, however, to connect his smartphone and keep it out of his hands. Toyota has just introduced CarPlay into its high-end Avalon, and it will take a year or two before it gets to the rest of the range. In any case, I do not think Barry really cares about the performance, as long as the car goes from A to B without any hassle. Which pretty much sets the Corolla

Lightstone: But do we just want to tell him to buy an updated car from the one he's been driving for five years? The Corolla is not the only reliable, convenient little car and easy access. I suggest Barry take a ride in the Nissan Sentra, just to see what else is there.

Richardson: I thought you did not like the Sentra.

Lightstone: I do not know. I hate the transmission and it 's boring to watch, but Barry might appreciate the Corolla more than he drives it.

Richardson: What's the Trouble With Transmission

Lightstone: The Xtronic CVT of the Sentra is slow and sometimes noisy. It is not pleasant to drive. If the Sentra came with an optional manual transmission, I could change my song.

Richardson: You are right. This is not very inspiring, and Barry needs a little inspiration.

Lightstone: I will excuse myself here. Move him away from two mundane merry-go-rounds and suggest Barry watch the Chevrolet Sonic. Seriously. I had an explosion in the Sonic.

Richardson: The Sonic? I never think of Sonic. I do not think anyone does it.

Lightstone: I did not do it either, until I drove it back to back with the Cruze sedan and I realized what she was offering: a superb design, flexible driving, all kinds of features. All this in a small car that starts at about $ 24,000 the door of the sedan, or $ 1,500 less for the manual. There is also a hatchback, and at present, Chevrolet offers a few thousand dollars in incentives. It was really a surprise, and it deserves a bit of Barry's time.

Richardson: Well, there is nothing to lose by doing a test drive.

Lightstone: Not at all. Barry should drive all three on the same day if he can: Corolla, Sentra and Sonic.

Richardson: And I bet he's coming back to the Corolla

Lightstone: I bet he's doing it too.

Which car should you buy? Write to Mark and Miranda at [email protected] .

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