So, the paint on 8th gen Civics is really, really bad. It was the first generation where Honda started using water-based paints for environmental reasons, and I guess they didn't have the formula down just right.
Anyway, I was at the wand wash the other day, and this happened:
![](https://i.ibb.co/gP5SRWC/20200331-080819.jpg)
Yeah, that's the paint peeling off the body of the car, revealing the primer underneath. The spot pictured is the worst, but there are a few other fingernail-sized spots where it started happening.
Well, I guess no more wand-wash for this car. I wonder if the high pressure car washes will have the same effect? It's a good thing I don't care too much about the aesthetics of this Civic.
It's a joy to drive. I wish it was a stick, but then my wife wouldn't drive it, and that would defeat the purpose. But the engine, what a great little 4-cylinder. It's so smooth, torquey down low, and the powerband is linear and smooth, and it sounds good when pushed a little. Honda makes great naturally aspirated engines!!!
By comparison, the 2.5 in our Altima wasn't nearly as refined, and although it was more powerful (being larger), it didn't enjoy high revs as much as this Civic. It sounded more like it was being thrashed, while the Honda 1.8 remains smooth.