Dayum! This thread came back with a vengance! It irritated me from the start for obvious reasons. It still does every time it pops back up to the top because it's closed-minded propeganda. Not trying to take a stab at age or anything because I'm no spring chicken myself, but a closed mind towards other cars shows your age. It's the "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" thing. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each car, or better yet, the different driving techniques necessary to handle completely different kinds of cars.

I think it's important for anyone that considers themselves a connisseur of performance (at least enough to preach about it) to keep an open mind and drive everything they can. I think a car is important to your own experiences, and who cares what anyone else thinks. Driving different cars is like trying on a different suit or getting a new hair style. I don't care if it's a Daewoo or a Diablo. A Ferrari or a forklift. It gives you a new perspective. And you're the only person who will feel any kind of exhileration from driving it. If you're trying to impress your neighbors with a civic, then YES, you're too old for your car. Get a Hemi-powered Chrysler C300 and see who invites you over for a barbecue.

If I were stuck in a civic every single day of my life, I'd Kobain myself, but it's certainly not a bad car to have around, and I like variety. It certainly isn't exhilerating TO ME, it's a workhorse. I'm never like... "I can't wait to be out driving my 13 year old car that only cost someone else $11k when it was new!!!", but I see some people in brand new Corolla's and Kia's, and I don't feel so bad. I had more fun building it than I do driving it. I'm 6'4" and this is not a comfortable road-trip car for someone my size. Nor is it really safe in my opinion, at least not when almost every car on the road is an SUV. People buy Volkswagons, BMWs Mercedes, Saabs, Volvos and the like because they need a safe car that will protect their families in an accident. They have good reputations for that. That's why most older people aren't seen in a Civic, not because the car makes them any younger. I don't ever see a family crammed in a civic hatch, and if I was the kid, I'd resent it unless my parents were paying for my education with the money they saved. Call me a snob. I've got my reasons. I certainly wouldn't want anyone coming over in a nicer car than mine to pick up my daughter for a date.

You never answered me when I asked if your Turbo Eclipse was Wrong-Wheel Drive (WWD) or not so I can judge what you're basing your opinion on. There are several different kinds of turbo DSMs. If you've driven more than one kind, you'd know which one you have.