... should do nicely for a down payment. If i go the new car route.

I have no first-hand knowledge on this, so don't take my word as gospel. But I am somewhat of a motorhead, and everything I have heard and read about the new Ford Focus tells me that it should be on your list of possible replacement cars. The tests I have read favor the Focus in two areas in particular: handling/performance, and ergonomics. The hatchback even looks a bit like your late, lamented Civic.

Take a test drive in one and let us know what you think.

tanstaafl.

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"