Same price range and more performance...maybe - but they would not be reliable and have large insurance rates; both those are drawbacks. Examples would clarify, so what cars did you have in mind?

Edit: BTW, what do you drive? [/QUOTE]

ok, for the same price range you can get a ford escort, hyndai, or a sunfire. i may be a little biased but i'd rather a civic over any of those. as for 70% of the people with the N1 exhaust, their must be a reason why they get them, proven power/sound/looks all are good. as for being original...why do all the mustangs and camero dudes all run K&N filters and FLOWMASTERS?

 

Okay, a '91 MR2 Turbo can be had for about the same price as a 96+ civic...again, reliability/insurance. RX-7 - if you mean Touring then forget it, can't be done for the same price, even a '93, and non-Touring. If mean FC, then yes, but I need not mention the reliability of those engines. Supra, if you mean '93-98 TwinTurbo, then no way...if you mean old gen, then yes...but alot of those are junkers now. 280zx/240sx? yeah, a good RWD alternative but upgrades are expensive comparitively (ask any 300ZX owner about Stillen).

Regarding your second point, why buy cheap and then dump money...that I cannot answer I have been wondering the same thing. I guess it comes down to "Hmm...don't have 15K now, but I can get a car, and since I'm working I can put money into uprgrades as it comes".

 

To get more horsepower, and more fun. I dont mean to seem like an ignoramous, but have you ever ridden/driven a really fast/forced induciton equiped car? Also, are you saying you'd rather build to get 190hp, than say... 400hp?

 

We arent talking about them. They arent out to not have 'just' a camaro, or mustang. They choose those because those work, and give huge gains because the stock piping on those cars is weak. That is why they see such impressive gains.

 

I see your point, but why not buy a car, like the Civic, which is cheap, and save up your money, to buy a real nice, well-engineered car, that some designer put their heart into, to make every aspect perfect? Dont you think the payoff would be much greater? Also, you wouldnt have to stay in the stereotype that all civic owners are ricers, ect.

 

some of us don't find the need for an extremely powerful car.

 

Dude, my car is completely stock (except for tires), no intake even. I am in this 'hobby' in mind only - my money is spent on tuition or saved. I'm happy with my 170HP DOHC 1.8L I4, and you're happy with your 198HP Turbo DOHC 2.0L I4. So I can't speak for those others regarding that question. I agree with you, the payoff would be better, but...its not _now_ would be my guess. Anyway, I predict this thread will go on for a while...

 

simple...it doesnt have a cow in the car like your mr2, and its faster...plain and simple.

 

Really? They why modify it to 'look' like it goes like a jet, and spend a lot of money to make it faster?

 

This is what I was afraid of. It is people like you who make the whole Civic crew look bad, praising it like nothing is faster. Im not going to waste on you.