A friend recently asked me if I could help her find a new car, since the one she had was always breaking down. She proceeded to give me the standards of what she was looking for: it had to be new (she's had a lot of past problems with used cars); it had to be a car, not a truck or SUV; and it had to be less than $15,000. With these criteria in mind, my research led me to some interesting -- and favorable -- results.

Almost every major automaker produces at least one model that sells for less than $15,000. While they may not be top of the line, these are some pretty nice automobiles. With options and packages added in, however, many of these cars will exceed the $15,000 mark, but not by too much.

The first car I found is the 2001 Chevrolet Prizm. The Prizm is a solid sedan with a base MSRP of $13,995. For a medium-size car, it has ample interior space, seating up to five adults. It has a well-deserved reputation for reliability, as well as an above-average safety record. The Prizm is also very fuel-efficient, making it a great car for road trips.

Next on the list is the 2001 Ford Focus. Priced at a base MSRP of $12,385, the Focus is the least expensive car on the list. This car is a bit smaller than the Prizm, but will seat four comfortably. New in 2001 is Ford's standard stability system called Advance Trac, which greatly increases the car's stability.

The most expensive car on the list is the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire, with a base MSRP of $14,175. As with just about everything in life, you get what you pay for. The extra cost provides extra amenities, like standard dual air bags and an anti-theft system. Add the 2.2-liter, 115-horsepower engine, and it's easy to see why the Sunfire is so popular.

Last, but certainly not least, is the 2001 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla has been around since 1968 and has gone through a myriad of changes since then. Toyota didn't tweak it too much for 2001 but did add a few small features, including a chrome-ring grille and internal trunk release. The same flaws, such as the small interior, are still present, but so are the strong points, like fuel efficiency and reliability. The base MSRP for the 2001 model is $12,568.

Even on a limited budget, new car shoppers have a variety of automobiles to choose from. The cars listed above are just a sample of the choices. Whether you choose a Sunfire like my friend did, or you go with something else, a budget of $15,000 is ample for finding a great new car.