Everything depends upon your budget, the kind of things you need from the vehicle, and how much money you can afford for insurance.
Your profile shows that you are 17, so you will most likely need to start out with an entry-level car. My suggestion, if you can afford it, is to go with a new vehicle or a pre-owned certified car as both have warranties from the manufacturer. I would generally go with a new car unless the pre-owned car has a really good warranty.
Out of the new cars out there I would lean towards any of the Japanese manufacterers as well as Saturn (GM) or Ford. It goes without saying that the Japanese have done a very good job in terms of quality of their cars, but the only drawbacks I can see with those cars is the high prices, lack of incentives, and lack of comfort in some models. Because the Japanese manufacterers are doing so well they have no need to sell their cars cheap nor to offer low financing to well qualified buyers. However, the domestic car manufacturers (GM, Ford, Chrysler Corp.), most especially Ford, are in serious trouble and badly need to increase their sales numbers least they end up in bankruptcy. As a result, all three domestic car companies are offering reduced pricing, rebates, and/or low financing to well qualified buyers. Companies like Ford have really tightened up their quality, and I have a lot of faith in their vehicles, especially their Mercury products. My family has had a Mercury for 10 years without any problems before we ultimately had to get rid of it as a result of it being totaled. My point is that with Ford and Mercury you can definitely get a good deal, quality products, and low insurance rates which is critical for someone your age. Also, you can have access to Lincoln/Mercury dealerships if you buy a Ford product which is a great deal as those dealers are generally very nice places.
The only other entry-level domestic manufacturer I would recommend is Saturn. Those cars are work horses, and my family has had two of them which have worked flawlessly. Unlike the rest of GM Saturn has managed to remain above the quality problems that has affected the other GM North American divisions (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, Hummer, and GMC Truck). Beyond the good quality of those cars Saturn is unique (with the exception of Toyota's Scion) with it having flat-rate pricing. The good thing is that the price you see on the sticker is the price everyone pays unlike every other manufacturer (including the Japanese and Koreans) which all still use negotiation to fix a price for a car. Having fixed rate pricing really made the car buying experience from Saturn very pleasant, and I would definitely would recommend them. Also, their service departments are generally very customer friendly.
Finally, you have to ask yourself if you want to have a sedan or a coupe. Coupes are harder to find, but they are still out there if you look hard enough. Among the entry level cars Saturn and Toyota's Scion are the only two of which I can think that currently manufacture coupes.
Good luck with car buying, and give yourself plenty of time when you buy a car.
The following article may be of use to you:
Confessions of a Car Salesman