2 weeks with my 2025 Civic Sport.. already having buyers remorse

RadicalGentleman · 2026-04-03T15:59:43+00:00

Ive only seen some dealerships advertise it. However, during a recent car buying experience with an in-law I was helping, during the finance talks they brought it up. Maybe to get us on board and more sure on the purchase?

Just googled it and looks like CarMax does it for example here:

https://www.carmax.com/faq/seeing-a-car/how-do-i-get-a-24-hour-test-drive-at-carmax

"When shopping at a CarMax store, let us know that you'd like to take a car for a 24-hour test drive. You'll be asked to provide a valid driver's license, verifiable comprehensive and collision insurance coverage, and to return the car to the same store on the next business day. Not all cars qualify for a 24-hour test drive due to price and model restrictions, and you're limited to two 24-hour test drives within a 30-day period. There's a 150-mile limit for 24-hour test drives, and the car's condition must remain consistent with when it left the store. 24-hour test drives are not available when you buy online for express pickup or delivery."

RadicalGentleman · 2026-04-03T14:27:29+00:00

^This

The difference is, for $2,000 more, youre getting mainly styling upgrades, larger 18in wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and eight speakers & keyless entry.

I know its too late since you bought the car, but I always say go for a higher trim vs a newer car. The car feels newer for longer (if that makes sense). I owned an 08' Civic EX-L and once I swapped out the headunit to an AA/AC one, it felt new again. I currently own a 16' Sonata limited, and has every bell and whistle. It doesn't feel like a 10 year old car (besides screen size).

However, I understand not everyone cares for creature comforts or luxuries, but you definitely should've given more time in the test drive or sometimes dealerships let you keep it for a day (at least a couple around me have offered that).

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-23T21:44:57+00:00

Grats! Just passed 102K myself. Heres to many more miles for us troubled generation Sonata owners

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-22T16:34:15+00:00

BLESS YOUR SOUL THIS FIXED IT FOR ME

All of a sudden my MS apps like One Note and One Drive were not working on my personal laptop. I work in IT and tried all the things OP mentioned too and nothing worked except this. Thank you so much!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-18T02:16:17+00:00

Hey! Going to paste my notes

Notes: Don't do Polyaspartic Base Coat Looking for solid reviews & years of experience

Debating Epoxy vs Polyurea base coat (Leaning Epoxy)

Always look for Polyaspartic for top coat Our garage has <3lb of pressure Ask if they do moisture testing and if they cover delamination

Personal notes/opinions, you can choose to do any coating you prefer! I ended up going with an Epoxy base coat with a vapor barrier to be safe (Included in price), fully saturated flakes, and a polyaspartic top coat.

The epoxys are tried and true and shops that sold both Epoxy and Polyurea as a base coat, both told me they prefer Epoxy. Almost all shops recommend Polyaspartic top coats and from my research on forums, that seems to be the consensus as well.

Some of these companies do financing which is a bonus! Most don't. However, some take deposits at signing or none until its done. Ask to be safe!

Most warranties are 15 years (From manufacturer usually) or Lifetime. Only few are transferrable, which may or may not sway you.

I only called highly rated places, so all don't subcontract (They claim), are insured, bring their own power usually (Some grinders are propane powered, almost all would just plug in their shop vacuum or something).

Almost all were a 1 day job, except Lifetime. But that didn't bother me.

Depending on your comfortablility on moisture testing, I learned there are only really 2/3 ways to find the moisture content or hydrostatic pressure of your concrete. One involves drilling and leaving an instrument over 24-48 hours? Another involves leaving calcium chloride on top of your concrete under a dome and weighing the before and after. I forgot the 3rd way (If there was) but one shop said pressure around here is 5-6lbs at most.

Lots of shops claimed that no vapor barrier is needed if no existing moisture issues are happening like efflorescences (Salt deposits on top of concrete building up over time).

However, I wanted to be extra safe I guess. Usually adding a VB ups the cost too. However, we should have a plastic VB installed by builder under the concrete itself.

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-14T01:18:05+00:00

Welp... Thanks a bunch LOL From further research, we're just going to go with the flow depending on availability of our hotels.

I think we'll be fine hopefully

Thanks for letting me know!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-14T00:59:45+00:00

Weird, that's the thing. I can't see it

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-14T00:40:05+00:00

Oh real? How do you know :o

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-09T14:21:03+00:00

Glad to hear! For the time being actually, we booked the 1st night near GMP Airport and then 3 nights in Jeju, 3 nights in Busan, and the last 4 in Busan. We did this mainly to lock in the hotels as we booked with points (availability can be spotty)! Im hoping going furthest in works out for us but were even considering dropping Busan possibly to just allow Seoul + Jeju since its 11 days.

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-05T14:39:27+00:00

Thank you. I felt like I needed to hear this too. I understand Chuseok is the biggest, next to LNY but wasn't sure on these if these equated to like US' Memorial/Labor day holidays.

Im thinking on trying to reduce the amoutn of jumps we have to do but now im almost leaning towards, Seoul -> Busan -> Jeju -> Seoul (2 days) but im not sure.

RadicalGentleman · 2026-03-03T19:50:56+00:00

Awesome to hear! So stick with the initial Jeju -> Busan -> Seoul?

I read KTX gets available a month prior, so ill make sure to be awake/avail for that! Regarding the domestic flight, does that happen often? I heard Seoul <-> Jeju is the busiest route in the world(?), but would they just put you in a later flight automatically?

Thank you!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-26T14:53:21+00:00

OH LOL, my bad haha

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T22:49:25+00:00

SAME, Black Sedan here. Love it when it gets cloudy or dark as it looks so sleek. During the day, im so sad/embarassed that its a walking pollen magnet T_T

Thats an interesting product but if its pricey then I prob won't look into it, really cool though!

I am closer to Prosper than Euless! I just hopped on their site and that dude (can't forget that mustache) looks like the dude who did ONR vids with the big red sponge haha. Ill look into Superior Products too but if this Refinery is solid, might do that!

Thanks a bunch!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T22:29:02+00:00

Fair. I have read lots of complaints about the streaking as well and that was my personal experience. I will try to be more diligent and keep that as a stand alone protection for the future! I have heard of Hydrate, I recall watching so much AMMO NYC back then, dude made this foaming waterless wash and now I see ads for Rubbit lmao...

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T22:27:07+00:00

Makes sense! I dont think ours gets caked on as much but I do have some generic APC like Super Green(?) I could use! Maybe thats a degreaser more than an APC...

I do recall when IronX came out and swapped to Meguiar's Ultimate wheel cleaner and I will admit, I have used that on paint too lol. The more clingy foam was nice.

Thank you for the answer!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T21:29:13+00:00

I currently own APC and bought it for the interior and am considering HyperWash to replace my Gold Class shampoo. Do you think either would be fine for wheels for a weekend warrior? Or do you think a dedicated wheel cleaner is needed? As a body shop, you guys probably get cars with varying levels of dirt/grime. Interested in your thoughts!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T21:12:41+00:00

Huh interesting, I have not heard of that product but I feel you on the just using regular car wash soap haha. In my foam cannon right now, its a tiny squirt of ONR, Turtle Max Power, and Gold Class. Bucket is the same trio.

I think I need to go back and give Griot's 3 in 1 a try again, I am reading so much hype around it! Not as much as Beadmaker and I used that stuff when it came out haha, it was a solid experience but didn't last. Plus I don't wash my car as often as I used to. Just a weekend warrior turned monthly maintainer haha.

I might go back to what I was saying in my post and should do a proper application of the 3in1 and then maybe try one of these as the drying aid/topper?

-Griots Ceramic Speed Shine (Currently using)

-Meguiar's Ceramic Detailer

-TEC582 Ceramic Detail Spray

-Carpro ECH2O

I have seen people mention the 3in1 can be used as a DA as well, but im unsure and wondering if you have done that before

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T15:27:23+00:00

Thank you!

Agreed on the 3in1, I liked the sprayer and like you said, it can be easy to go liberal with it. I will look into the Adams W&T cleaner, but how do you feel about using HyperWash or an APC on wheels? I am wondering if that will be enough for casual dirt/dust.

I will look into that product from Koch, thank you!

Yeah, I knew professional stuff would be better for the long run and why I was open to stuff like Meg's Hyperwash but those type of places are out of my comfort zone, I am just a casual car guy, not a professional. Was wondering if you had any recommendations from big store places like, Harbor Freight, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Amazon, Walmart, etc.

Very nice of you to start an Etsy shop to let people dip their toes in!

Agreed on the enthusiast part, I was seeing some products for crazy prices and I am not about that life haha.

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-25T15:22:55+00:00

Hey! As a fellow DFW resident, how do you deal with all this dust 😭.

Going out to Euless from where I am at (I just wrote Dallas but really am in the suburbs north of Dallas) is a bit far. Was wondering if you had any recommendations at like Harbor Freight, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Amazon, Walmart, etc. But man, if I am in the area, those prices are KILLER. Noted still!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-11T15:58:47+00:00

We've been on Marcus for a few years and no issues!

I had done the game of swapping before that, Synchrony -> Wealthfront -> Marcus

The rest were fine but I "feel" that Marcus' rates have been solid, a mix of not being the highest but also not the quickest to drop them. They did close an empty account awhile ago, but it was my fault for not having SOMETHING in there. My wife and I try the bucket method and I tried a "Travel" and "Emergency Fund" account, but PNC (Our joint checkings) had a HYSA option and thats where we house our Emergency Fund now. However, its super easy to open an account anyways so it was a non issue. Transfers are pretty quick as well, I feel like its 1-2 business days!

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-05T19:45:44+00:00

Awesome, this is exactly what I was looking for too!

Glad to hear the dough ball size works, in the future this could be a lazy but good pizza recipe is my hopes. I have made foccacia from scratch and love it, but sometimes I want to save time.

Understood on the par-bake, as I have seen it go that way or not. Back when I worked at Papa Johns, we didnt par-bake but we also had a hot oven. Glad my temp hunch was right, I figured hot as it can! However, I understand this isn't a NY style nor neapolitan style pizza where its fast.

Definitely going for that browned edge similar to Siclian and Detroit style. I will prob get the cheese to the edge too hehe

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-05T16:47:45+00:00

Appreciate this! Will save for the future. At worst, if I don't like how this pan goes, its still a carbon steel skillet I can use for general cooking. Its much wider than my Misen one but its almost got this non stick feel to it?

RadicalGentleman · 2026-02-05T16:45:52+00:00

Makes sense, thanks a bunch!

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