Benefits of Cold Air Intake?

Ok..heres the deal...I have a 2002 Eclipse RS, All stock except for Magnaflow muffler. I was considering purchasing CAI for my car. But i have done some research and the only HP gains are like 5-10 whp. This to me, doesnt seem dramatic. Also, it doesnt seem like i would even feel a difference. I was wondering, then, what is the big deal about CAI. Does it allow you to have more torque throughout the RPM range or what? Why is CAI so wanted by so many people? Also, I i got CAI it seems as if it would be a hassle b/c of puddles and such. Can someone answer these two questions:

1. What benefits does a CAI system give your car?

2. Is it a hassle to have CAI due to puddles and such?

don't know yet, still waiting for mine from CANADA....errrrrrr
i do know it isn't a hassle w/ puddles, the entire inlet of the intake has to be submerged in water for over a second for it to hydro-lock
and i know it sounds sweet when it past 4k rpm :D

i have an 01 gt, 5 speed, with an aem cai, believe me, you will notice a difference and it sounds reeealy realy mean..especially after 4K rpm like he said.....idk if it would make a difference in a 4 cylinder though, might as well just turbo

I would definitely turbo, i'm saving for the odds and ends i need to build my own kit when it comes time, which is still a long ways off....at least 2 years

It may make your engine sound cool, but thats about it.... spend yer money on booze and hookers......
Put the cash towards a turbo system

i see that nobody mentioned better gas mileage. and with gas being so high, thats one reason i have decided to get one. but i do agree with dicks, spend your money on booze and hookers. sounds like a plan to me

i second that one

for real though, CAI is a waste. What sounds really mean is that turbo spoolin' up @ 4k rpms. NOT a loud ass ricer honda intake and exhaust.
You gotta make that diamond-star shine

i don't know so much, i drove a car this weekend w/ intake exhasut and headers and it was a 2001 GT, it felt so much better than my car, then again he also had brembo's, metal master pads, all around motor mounts, Safc, KyB AGX's and eibach pro's....but hey, its one niceee ride

for real though, CAI is a waste. What sounds really mean is that turbo spoolin' up @ 4k rpms. NOT a loud ass ricer honda intake and exhaust.
You gotta make that diamond-star shine

now how can you go and compare a cold air intake to a turbo. man thats just wrong. i would love to have the money to turbo my car but for now, a cold air intake will have to do.

naw, i wasnt comparing the 2 performance wise, just wich one sounds better. i have niether, i went with the bze n' hkrs. BUT i almost have enough dough for the 4cyl 8.5psi kit. i just need to find out what to do with my sportronic. beef it up- flex plate, lsd flywheel, oil cooler etc.