NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - When you send your kids off to college, they may need a new set of wheels. Far away from home, they won't be able to borrow Mom and Dad's car.

Of course, not every parent -- or high school grad, if the parents involved aren't the generous type -- can afford their dream car right off the bat. Fortunately, a lot of car companies have models that cater to the needs of first-time car buyers.

Lawrence Ulrich, auto writer for MONEY magazine, worked with me to select six cars costing, at most, about $20,000.

This is about more than money, of course. It's also about safety and style. All these cars do well in crash tests.

And, while we can't promise you your kid won't be calling home for speeding ticket money, these cars, at least, don't demand to be driven badly.

Finally, these are cars you could reasonably expect your child to like. If you think that doesn't matter, consider that a car your kid likes is a car she'll take care of. A rolling embarrassment is less likely to be properly bathed and maintained. We aren't too old to remember.

We also mention a couple of cars that have just started rolling off assembly lines, or will soon, that are worth a look. We don't know enough about them yet to recommend them.

Used cars are, now more than ever, an excellent option for first-time car buyers. For the sake of simplicity, we're sticking with new models here, though.

Our picks: Best college cars

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Best college cars

If you're buying your kid a car, these should serve you well and last through the first commutes.

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