You don't want an ITR for your first car. You will love it, but you'll go broke if you're 17 AND you want to modify your car. Here's an example: I just bought a timing belt for my 00civic EX and one for my 97ITR. The parts are SO similar, but the civic's was $31 and the Type R's was $85. That is just the timing belt.

If you like to work on your car and you don't want to start out with something too pokey-- think about a 240SX or a 2.5RS, the parts are a little cheaper and the cars are still really fun.

One more thing: I live in Minnesota and drive my ITR in the winter and it doesn't do that great. I feel a little safer in the civic. I know Toronto's winters are worse so...

That's my $0.2