I figured i'd chime in since I have the same car from the sounds of all the problems we've had and i've already went through and fixed, and i will be stealing all of your valuable info
. If your leak is coming from the left side of the oil pan right beside the plastic timing cover seal (view from underneath), check your upper camshaft seal. The oem cover has a second piece that completely hides the leak from the outer cover, and allows the leak to travel out of the camshaft seal on the right to the back side of the head (viewing the motor from above) and it will leak down and coat the alternator and just about everything. Two months into owning my car the seal start to REALLY go. And driving to and from school about 200 miles i would lose 2 quarts + of oil. Then i took it apart and had the timing belt and camshaft and crank seals (by recommendation of an older guy who drives a crx 55mpg at the dealership), and voila! It was the camshaft seal. Easy to replace too. Just unbolt all bolts to the right of the distributor bolt seal, lift up a half inch, pull it out, and slide the new one on. Then go through and retorque everything.
I've replaced EVERYTHING on this car now 6 months later doing it inbetween school on breaks. So initial investment of $742 for the car has increased to 1200ish. But i basically have a powertrain warranty with all the new parts lol. Car is a 96 lx sedan 5mt averaging 38 so it'll be cool to see the increase.