Test drive: 2005 Honda Civic LX Sedan

Like all goofy car folk, I have my own never-ending, top-five lists. I like the Chrysler 300, Mazda Miata, Malibu Maxx but, you know, it never ends. You might as well ask me what cars I like at any hour of the day... it'll be different each time. Now, if you ask me what kind of car I need? Oh, heck, that's no fun. What do I do with the thing? Grocery shopping (sometimes), visit a friend (in this traffic?) take my daughter to Grandma's (what, with the nagging?)... I need a small, safe, fun-if-I-can-afford-it kinda car. Phil Powell sums it up: "...the Civic is perfectly suitable as a family car. Or, if there are no kids in your life, it suits young folks (and old folks, too) as all the car you really need."—Bob Schulties