I am not quite seeing what the fuss from CR is about(nor have I ever seen what CR is about). The car is still quality, economical and long term value. They are complaining about fit and finish and material. I think Civics have always been lacking in those area(for that matter, Corolla too). But that never stops them from moving off the lot....They were always marketed as appliance(SI aside), and they serve that purpose well.
Honda in general has the issue of turning into Toyota minus the good hybrid system. They lost their performance cred with the enthusiasts and they are not quite as the golden boy of faux-green motoring like Toyota. So they have an image and product problem to fix....
University of Toronto Formula SAE Alumni 2003-2007
Formula Student Championship 2003, 2005, 2006
www.fsae.utoronto.ca