1996-2000 Honda Civic

Honda always manages to give more car for the money than expected, and the Civic continues this trait. The previous-generation Civics, introduced in 1996 and sold through the 2000 model year, remain high on the budget-minded enthusiast's list. These Civics have a firmer, more sophisticated front suspension than the current car, are easy to modify, and are plentiful.

Three body styles are available: two-door hatchback, two-door coupe, and four-door sedan. For the enthusiast, the coupe is the standout, available in three or four trim levels including base DX, upmarket EX, fuel-sipping HX, and, beginning in '99, the hot-rod Si. Trim level defines power choices, too. While all Civic engines are aluminum 1.6-liter fours, the CX/DX's produces 106 horsepower, the VTEC-equipped EX/LX puts down 127, the super-efficient HX with VTEC-E makes 115, and the Si's 8000-rpm VTEC-boosted four churns out an impressive 160 horses. More reasons to want an Si: rear disc brakes in place of drums, and an anti-roll bar.

For this generation, Honda gave each variant subtly different styling, and the big winner is the hatchback, which turned out far handsomer than the previous iteration. Unfortunately, declining hatchback sales led Honda to keep this as a pure economy car, so it has the base engine only and no hotted-up variant. With the incredible popularity of import-car tuning, unmolested Civic coupes are becoming harder to find, and the Si variant is rare.

These cars tend to hold their value--with good reason--but you'll pay more than for a comparable Proteg or Sentra. There are a bunch of these Civics around, so you don't have to settle for one with super high miles or in less than good condition. Fortunately, if you come across a clean example, chances are it'll be as reliable as a rock. Sturdy materials and high build quality usually mean a long life.

The car deserves its mantle of "simple, reliable, cool." And if you happen to nab an Si, you can add: "amazingly quick."