i really dig the focus for it's styling, and its attention to detail. they know that we like big rims, they give us big rims. and brakes. and a six speed. honda is convinced that 15s are the way to go. and hey, we would all upgrade anyway, but a svt looks good just stock. i wouldnt mod it, at least for a little bit...
i also like the tq it has. that is big for me... i like to rev high, but i like to have tq too... that is the way to go, at least for me.
my big contention against the civic is the styling, and the silly shifter... but hey... i could get over that... the little rims is a different story.