It doesn't matter what kind of engine Options

[JBone]

the f***ing tranny of a dsm will go out on you. My little "piece of monkey s***" went out on me this morning on the way to class. It is too early to tell what it is. Slo-pony ain't open yet, but I will have there within the hour to see how much my a** can handle being raped from this piece. I am extremely pi$$ed off right now. Last time I got this pissed with my car, dents were made. Good thing I know that dents don't sell a car.

[Bannovr4]

Would a 4G63 fit in your engine bay? maybe a 4g63 with a Manual Tranny? Honda guys have been doing massive work for years to make Auto into 5sp and there are many 2.0L turbo DSM's that have done it. It's a lot of work if you're attached to your car. But it might be cheaper to find a good engine and decent/rebuilt tranny from a junk car or Engine dealer than to buy a whole new DSM or continue a futile search for an Auto tranny.
Also, is that 1.8L the same as the Neon motor? Any other cars that share that motor? perhaps there's an enthusiast group that could take it off your hands and trade that motor for the money you'd need to get a 4G63 motor/tranny?
Just some ideas, no experience with the 1.8L Auto so I don't have much else but suggestions to look into.