Is car wax still necessary?  I found out San Diego isn't too big on the
whole car bonding thing - washing and waxing your own car.  The preferred
method is the deluxe gas station wash.  There they add interior, rims, and
towel drying.  The "detail" version includes wax but costs $50.  And
unfortunately I've already learned the ******* slop wax all over the
place, from the wipers to every panel opening.

With garage parking, apartment/condo living, and water restrictions,
it's quite a pain in the a.s to wash my car here.  So waxing isn't even a
possibility unless I rush home from the car wash and apply it myself.

So, um, how long before the paint looks like rubber?  

As it turns out, most of the cars look pretty good.  Yet no one seems to
put any time into the cars.  I'm hopeful car wax is hype or paint has
really improved.