think about it this way.. in the sol's entire production run, 74,936 were made in the US. They make that many civics in one year Body parts are expensive and hard to find. I would never give a kid a sol as a first car because you'll do one of two things:
1 - buy one in really nice shape, for about $7500 - $10,000, and then proceed to spend a crapload on that 96/97 front bumper when she rearends someone in a parking lot.
OR
2 - buy one that's not in the greatest aesthetic shape, with some dents and dings, for about $3000, but then spend a crapload when parts start failing (Sols are notorious for the A/C condenser going, along with a few other little things).
So, that said,
CIVIC!