It's time for me to buy a new car. Not because I really need one, but because today's cars are like your favorite Harris tweed sport coat; you're tired of it long before it’s worn out.

I spent almost 50 years selling new cars. It's a tough, competitive business, but it's even harder to buy one, because the range of choice is so great, and there are so many desirable cars. You can consult Consumer Reports (boring), Road & Track or Car & Driver magazines (good analyses and comparison road tests) and the J.D. Power owner surveys (all the new cars are pretty damn good).

You'll notice that since you bought your last car, more and more of the tasty goodies have trickled down and are available on rather inexpensive cars. You might wonder why the cheaper (often Asian) cars fare better than the more costly (often European) cars in owner surveys of things gone wrong. And you might wonder how marketers of costly cars hope to entice you, when the cheaper ones offer so many attractions. The Germans especially are masters at respecting and nurturing brands, and getting well paid for it, with the premium prices their cars command. The Asians are learning, too, while the Americans manufacture trouble-free mediocrity and sell cheap.

It’s hard to explain the appeal of large, over-wrought cars such as the Mercedes S Class, BMW 7 series, or Audi A-8. They seem too big, too heavy, too complex. Their simpler siblings, Mercedes C, BMW 3, and Audi A-4 are more appealing. Similarly, in sports cars, supercars such as Corvette, Ferrari, and Lamborghini are great look-at-me cars. But for simple fun, harmonious design and handy size, the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Porsche Boxster are hard to beat.

Every pound of weight you don't have to turn or stop enhances your car's responsiveness. Every inch you don't have to park makes your life easier.

So what will I buy? I don't know yet, but it will be a lean, sporting four-door Japanese or German.

Four Good Choices

Here are four cars I drove recently, and liked a lot. I'm not going to buy any of them, because I always choose romance over practicality, but I heartily recommend each of them. Translation: (as we tell our kids) do as I say, not as I do!

2006 Hyundai Sonata

The new Sonata is appealing for several reasons:

1. The '05 model was the most reliable car sold in the U.S. according to Consumer Reports.

2. Hyundai just opened a billion dollar plant in Alabama — their first in North America — to build this and other models.

3. Hyundai — Kia have announced that by 2010, they intend to be the number five motor manufacturer worldwide. Their recent successes, including U.S. sales, equal to three times (!) Volkswagen, suggest they might achieve their goal.

The Sonata hits the Toyota Camry-Honda Accord segment head-on, with a better-looking car than either. It's also a tad larger, priced 10-15 percent lower, and carries a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty. Impressions: Nothing on this car looks cheap. It's Lexus-quiet. My test car carried a $19,995 price, well-equipped — air conditioning, central locking, CD and Stereo — all the normal stuff. Added leather and a sunroof would put a Sonata I'd be happy to live with at about $22,000 before any bargaining. Pretty convincing.

Nissan Murano & Subaru Tribeca                                            

The Nissan Murano and the just-introduced Subaru B-9 Tribeca are "crossovers" — car based SUV-type vehicles. They cost $30-40,000, depending on how many exotic electronic accessories you think you need. British reviews are interesting, because Japanese cars cost about as many pounds sterling there as dollars here. In other words, a $30,000 car here is 30,000 pounds there — effectively about 80 percent more. That means they compete in a different class. For these two, that means they face the BMW X5i and Land Rover LR-3. We pay $50,000 plus for those.

British reviewers consider the Subaru and Nissan worthy competitors at that price level — high praise! They confirm an impression I had. After driving a BMW X3 stickered at $41,000, and being less than dazzled, I felt the Subaru and Nissan, in spite of their lower price, were higher class, better vehicles. Both are heartily recommended, if your needs dictate this type of vehicle.

Honda CR-V

About eight years ago, Toyota introduced a whole new category of car, a mini SUV they called RAV-4. Honda quickly followed with the CR-V, and the two have delighted many thousands of buyers worldwide. I tried the CR-V on a 700 mile freeway and back road trip to Cambria and back.

Although the CR-V is smallish, it seemed almost as roomy inside as a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Driving it was very satisfying. It's fast, nimble, quiet and reassuring under all conditions. At one point, on a little, poorly surfaced mountain road, the aggressive driver of a Cadillac Escalade (at least twice the horsepower and fuel consumption) must have been shocked and surprised to be left in the dust by the spunky, agile half-price Honda.

Any of these cars might be smaller and cheaper than what you think you need.

The huge improvements in small car design and engineering could surprise you, and cause you to rethink your next purchase.