Shortly before that I had been stuck driving a slushbox 97 Civic. That thing was great on gas, but so horrifyingly boring to drive. I had been working for the past year before that and had saved up enough so I went out and bought the cheapest, good-running clean title manual Integra sedan I could.
I loved it! I didn't modify it at all aside from a cold air intake, just changed the oil, brake, clutch and tranny fluid and it ran like a dream. Fun as hell to drive too, and it wasn't even a GSR. Even my brother, who owns a 1991 MR2 Turbo and has driven a highly modified Cobra before, said it was fun to drive and regretted that I sold it. It was so easy to work on and I learned so much from owning and driving it, it kinda made me sad because it held a lot of sentimental value to me.
After being car-less for another 2 months, and having no option but to drive the slushbox Civic again, I was determined to find a car. I had been looking for one long before that, but during that time I had my very own car. Of course I also was allowed to drive my mom's 2003 TL Type-S, which is a pretty fun car to drive too, but it wasn't a standard.
I grew tired of looking for beat up, modified or overpriced 240sx's and MR2 Turbos. I then decided on a car no one would ever think I would buy.... a Camaro. Eventually I found a sweet Z28, 6-speed manual. Clean title, mint! It was a HUGE jump for me, had to go out and get a loan and everything. Owned it for almost a month now, and I love it!
One thing's for sure, I won't buy anything but a standard from now on. I would not hesitate to buy another Honda/Acura either. They just make fun cars to drive. Very easy to modify and play with, which I like because I'm a DIY guy but somewhat new to fixing cars. That thread that was simply named "honda" in the Tranny Talk subforum kind of bothered me because there was a lot of misinformation, but we'll just leave that thread buried....
And here is a pic of my current baby... she only screams at me when I want her to. Or should I say, now that I no longer own a Honda... roars when I want her to.
One last thing I wanted to say.... I like to make long posts, so get used to it.
I drove a 1999 Camaro 3800II 5MT for about a year - absolutely loved the car. Irrational love. They aren't easy to drive, have (some) quality issues, and for some reason, they just hook ya. 
