Any advice as to how to deal with front end paint chips in the NYC metro area without spending many thousands (N. Jersey in particular) would be appreciated, but, as the title suggests, this is mostly a rant. I bought my 2013 Abarth about three years ago at 75K miles and the paint was pristine. I've added another 9K and ... I've never seen anything like it. I have scores of paint chips all across the front hood and extending onto both front fenders. (factory red, btw.) New ones seem to emerge every few weeks, even though I only use the car about once or twice a week, usually 5-10 miles each time. I have, never, ever seen anything like it. I've owned more than 50 cars--American, German, British, Italian, Japanese, Korean: new, old, cared for, abused and neglected; steel-bodied, fiberglass-bodied; manufacturers as big as VW and as small as TVR, race cars, road cars,paint ranging from rattle can jobs to catalyzed enamels, urethane enamels, lacquer, etc. --you name it, and I have never experienced paint chips like this--not even close. I honestly think the factory finish is fundamentally defective (too soft?) And no, I haven't changed how or where I drive. I don't live on a gravel road or anything obvious like that. It's honestly immensely frustrating. Am I alone in this? Does it strike the early model-year cars more? Red cars in particular? Any insight other owners have about paint chips appreciated, because at this point I'm just curious as to what the hell is wrong with the finish--the chips are so numerous and ongoing I've essentially given up on the idea of having a decent-looking car. Sorry to be so negative--I really do love the car in many ways, but this paint thing has really soured me. Rant over.