NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - A successful college career is a delicate balancing act. Books, studying, dating, parties... there's so much to think about.

Guiding your newly minted adult to their first car presents a similar challenge. Whether you are buying the car for them, or just helping out, you want them to be safe and you don't want to spend a mint. You don't want to subject him to life as a social outcast. Or at least we assume you don't.

MONEY magazine's Lawrence Ulrich and I have chosen six new cars that, we think, walk the line best. They are affordable, safe and reliable but won't get snickers while trolling for a space in the campus parking lot.

All these vehicles are available as 2004 and 2005 models. If you want to save serious money, some also make very good choices as lightly used "pre-owned" cars. For first time car buyers, a slightly older model can save money not just in car payments but in insurance costs, too.