I don't think the Nissan's interior is cheaped. I've seen and test drove the SE-R and it doesn't look cheap to me. SpecV is about $18k and you can HLSD, 6spd, power everything and also keyless entry. SpecV is much better handling, performance car. I call that value. How many $18-$20k car have 6spd and HLSD? I've owned a 95 200SX SE before my GS-R and from day one to the day my dad totalled it at about 100k miles, all i had to do is change the alternator and the oil. I call that reliability, considering I got it at $12,500 and it got all the options too except sunroof. Also, the fit and finish still look very good after 7 years and never once has it been parked in a garage. I'm just giving you a counter example to your statement, "a $17,000 Civic is MUCH more refined and far better performing than pretty much anything else in the price range", that's all.