>The existence of some base model Honda Civic or similar doesn't imply you or anyone can actually buy one.

There's a regulatory required number (it's not many) of those supper stripped down below the base model cars they have to make to advertise the "starting at price" so you can find them if you really try.

I know this because I know an old lady who (close to 20yr ago now) sought out the super base model of the.... wait for it.... first year of the CVT Nissan Altima! It didn't even have a radio.

It proved to be really reliable because it was well cared for and not driven hard, she gave it away to a nephew a year or so ago.