Having the base glued is no problem as i have 2nd gen ones on my ES with the better ballasts with an internal ignitor, never had a hickup with them.
My civic has them with the moulded base and it has been a problem with ballasts not the bulbs.
MC cullogh ballasts are ok, their bulbs are goodwith the moulded base.
The best kind of kit is a retrofitted oem ballast from a lexus mercedes or bmw then using the base works perfectly for them.
EBAY all day has brand new kits for 200-300