I've thought about this a lot recently. I miss owning a Honda. I miss working on them. But compared to the AllTrac, Honda has never made a car in my price range that excites me like the AllTrac does.
Honda shouldn't come up with a new moniker. It already has Acura. As for the Scion thing, what the fuck ever, Toyota...
Anyway... Keep the big 'ole H on the hood. If it's a decent car, I want everyone to know that yes, it's a HONDA, and I'm damn proud of it!
The key to success. First we have to look at what's available and popular now. Seems like the '92- '00 Civic/ Integra is the most modified platform out there. Great. While the B series aren't being produced anymore, they are still making them for replacement engines and parts, and will continue to do so for quite some time. Let's make a car that would accept a B series engine. I'm not saying put B's back into production, but produce a new engine that has the same mounting points as a B (bell housing, engine mounts). Or hell, bring back the B! Christ, why not? So what if the design is pushing 14 years old; it's still a hell of an engine.
So we've got a car that'll accept just about any bolt on and internal part out there, and gives you an engine choice from a 130 HP B18A all the way up to a 195HP B18C5. What's next?
Driveline! FWD doesn't cut it for me anymore, and if you've driven RWD or AWD, you'll laugh at anyone that uses FWD and "fun" in the same sentence. Let's make the car RWD with a five or optional six speed box with some ratios that really ARE geared towards performnace. Hey, we've got an S2K box that's already RWD and in production; why not just cast a different bell housing to fit it to the B series block? And an S2K rear end and suspension would be great.
What about the front suspension? Here's where you guys are going to hate me. I say use McStruts. Why? Well, we're keeping the cost down here, so that's one reason. Another is space. And weight! You can cut the unsprung weight in half using McStruts! And really- they're not that bad for handling if you set them up right. Porsche, WRXs, AllTracs, MR2s, and quite a few other very well handling cars use MacPherson struts front and rear.
How big should the car be and what kinda layout? I say two models. One is a coupe sized similar to the 5G Civic coupes, and another is a convertible with a removable hard top that's about the size of a Miata. Both have the same driveline and suspension options. Weight is a very important factor here, so it should be kept below 2300 lbs for the convertible and 2500 for the coupe. In both models, the engine should be at least 75% behind the front axle with an effort for a 50/ 50 weight bias.
Interior- Functional, yet comfortable. Spare no expense on the ergonomics and "feel" of the shifter, pedals, and steering wheel. No bullshit, but livable.
OEM aftermarket support. Why the hell Honda doesn't do this is beyond me, because they'd make a KILLING if they could market an add on turbo kit that won't void your warranty. How's about that? Three stages of turbo kits that won't void your warranty with a big 'ole H right on the compressor housing. Honda adjustable suspension bits made by Tein. Honda performance wheels made by Rota. Honda big brake upgrade made by Wilwood.
And make the car come in no more than $23,000 out the door. Sure, it costs more than an SRT-4 Neon, but it's a Honda and uses parts bin- sourced parts, so you KNOW it's going to last. And since it's a parts bin car, it's something you're familiar with and everything that's already on the market will fit the car.