[Christ]

Actually, I know about 15 people that own Civic CX's. And 14 of them are imports. (From Canada)

So that makes me uncivilized?

You, my friend, may not like it, but the reality is that people in this country have (for quite some time now) spent money they didn't have. And since the economy is finally catching up with it, it's almost the perfect time to start unleashing stripped down models for the lowest price possible.

Imagine... who bought the $500,000 dollar house on a $44,000 income? That guy is going to need a car after he's bankrupt... and guess what he's going to go for? He'll be too scared (and unable) to get a loan of any real large amount, so he'll go around thinking "I have $15,000 to spend... and I'd like to keep some in case I can't pay my loans for a month or two... to cover my own ass..."

Guess what that means? It'll be 7 years before he can file bankruptcy again, so that loan has to last him... which means he won't be buying a car that's going to nickel and dime him to death 3 years from now.

Fact is, there are ALOT of people right now who are buying used cars for high prices because there is no real alternative. Once there is an alternative, I believe the market will shift toward new products.