This car can easily make anyone a Honda fanatic!!

In 1999 I purchased a brand new Nissan Sentra GXE. It was a comfortable, competent, sedan, but I had a feeling it wasn't for me. (READ:A bit too bland)
About a year later I returned to the dealer where I bought it to check out their used lot. There I saw a black 1998 Civic DX coupe. I test drove it and had to have it.
About the car:
It's an automatic so if you're planning to get one don't expect any miracles.There is a bit of a bog starting out, but it makes the most of every gear and accelerates quickly, as long as your right foot is in it. I've read the complaints about the automatic equipped civics being sluggish and I personally think it's just fine with an automatic. As long as you're not drag racing I don't see why there would be a major problem.
The ride is firm, but forgiving over all, but the most pothole laden roads. Handling is very good for a front end heavy, FWD car. Brake and turn into curves early, especially long sweepers. Once the weight transfers to the front and the car pivots get back on the throttle quickly and it'll understeer nicely back into line. Brake and turn too late and it'll plow. Stay off the throttle too long after braking and turning and you'll find yourself correcting oversteer.
The SOHC non-vtec engine growls to life as the revs climb.It's especially loud with the windows up. I love the sound, but I can understand where this would be a bone of contention for many drivers.
It may sound silly to be praising the performance of a base model economy car with an automatic, but for those in doubt I offer the opinions of a friend of mine. This man has owned a Lotus Elan, a Porsche, a VW GTI, a Bugeye Sprite, an Alfa Romeo, a Mazda RX-7, and the list goes on. He is not a fan of non-performance models with automatics, but on a road trip last summer I was downplaying the performance of my Civic when he said, "I'll tell you what...this is an impressive car."
Don't get me wrong. The 2 door isn't for people who put a premium on space or for those who like their rides to be plushy and luxurious. But, for those in search of a spirited, economical, and well engineered little commuter, it's impossible to go wrong with a civic.
By the way I now have about 70,000 trouble free miles on the car. When I was at 50,000 I stopped into a Honda dealer to ask them a few questions. I told a man in the service department the car's mileage and he replied, "50,000? It's still a baby!"
Need I say more?
About the $15,000 price tag. I know it's too much but that's the price I had to pay to trade in the Sentra with negative equity. Lesson: BE SURE BEFORE YOU BUY!!! It still stings!