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Dealer Add-ons and Extras - are they worth it?

44 messages,  Last post on Nov 17, 2011 at 2:36 PM

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Messages Page 5 of 5

#35 of 44 Re: Agreed to Simoniz car, signed deal, don't want it now [mia13] by socala4

Jun 11, 2006 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: mia13 (Jun 11, 2006 6:43 pm)
Well, this isn't a forum for detailing, so I'll try to keep it brief:
 
-A wax and a sealant are the same thing, except a wax will be made of natural materials such as beeswax, while a sealant is a synthetic. You can put multiple coats if you like. Waxes tend to wear more quickly than do sealants because of their contents. In any case, the purpose of waxes and sealants are the same -- to put a protective coat over the paint to protect it from UV and the elements.
 
Some detail fanatics put wax on top of sealants because wax can arguably give deeper, nicer shine, but that isn't necessary to protect your paint. And despite popular belief, the main purpose of waxes and sealants is to protect paint, not to create shine.
 
Overall, you tend to combine waxes/sealants with polishes (mild abrasives) and/or glazes (which enhance shine) when detailing a car. Wax and sealant have a specific purpose of paint protection. Some products combine some or all of these functions, but a detailing afficianado would tend to go with seperate products.
 
Black paint takes A LOT of work to keep up, it is very easy to get scratches and swirl marks, and your average corner hand car wash will tend to work in ways that create both over the long run. You may not like this, but I'd advise that if you can, you wash it yourself every 1-2 weeks, using good quality soap, a sheepskin mitt, and a "waffle weave" towel for drying. Research the internet, and you'll find detailing fanatics who have lots of great advice on the subject.
 
Good luck and enjoy.

#36 of 44 Re: Agreed to Simoniz car, signed deal, don't want it now [mia13] by mia13

Jun 12, 2006 (2:18 am)

Replying to: mia13 (Jun 11, 2006 6:43 pm)
Wow Socala, Thank you, I really appreciate the time you took!!

#37 of 44 Lojack by joel0622

Jan 07, 2008 (7:11 pm)

Lojack has been in TN now for about 18 months and there has been 37 activations with 36 recoveries. Pretty good record I think.
 
Imports are superior

#38 of 44 Suzuki dealer rip off by carman32

Jan 12, 2008 (5:33 pm)

I recently walked a Suzuki dealer lot and found that almost every new car had an added on paint protectant for $4999!! I couldn't believe it and wonder if this is common with Suzuki dealers? This made a $16,000 Forenza...$21,000!! Do people really pay this?

#39 of 44 Re: Suzuki dealer rip off [carman32] by humblecoder

Jan 12, 2008 (9:38 pm)

Replying to: carman32 (Jan 12, 2008 5:33 pm)
I doubt it is common. Any sane business person wouldn't price their product $5000 above the competition like that, especially on the low-end of the market, where people are more price sensitive. Maybe on a $250,000 luxury car, but on an economy car? That's crazy!
 
That's why I have a hard time believing your story, carman32 (no offense )

#40 of 44 new car wax protection at dealer by rogscar

Jun 14, 2010 (10:38 am)

buying a new impala should get wax protection sold by the dealer?

#41 of 44 Re: new car wax protection at dealer [rogscar] by tallman1

Jun 14, 2010 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: rogscar (Jun 14, 2010 10:38 am)
You could. Or you could pay a whole lot less and either have it done professionally or do it yourself.

#42 of 44 Accessorize by ken117

Jun 18, 2010 (4:18 am)

There is one Honda dealer in College Park, Maryland who has come up with a cute little euphemism for its "rip off" sticker. This dealer refers to its practice of increasing its profits through the addition of overpriced add-ons as "accessorizing" the vehicle. This particular dealer has stated most of its clients appreciate its "accessorizing" improvements to the vehicles. The dealer also points out that one can always order a "stripped" vehicle. As a buyer of numerous Honda vehicles, I have yet to locate a "stripped" EX or LX.

#43 of 44 Re: Accessorize [ken117] by isellhondas

Jul 31, 2010 (9:47 am)

Replying to: ken117 (Jun 18, 2010 4:18 am)
Coming in late here but almost ALL Honda dealers do this.
 
We kept the accessories to a minimum adding the items that a lot of people wanted anyway such as splash guards on the EX's.
 
There are stores in this area that added so many expensive (and usually unwanted) items that we wouldn't do dealer trades with them.
 
Making a few extra bucks ins't a bad thing you know.

#44 of 44 Re: Accessorize [isellhondas] by manypilots

Nov 17, 2011 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Jul 31, 2010 9:47 am)
We did paint/interior protection packages on the last two cars we purchased.
For the first car we purchased, we simply went to the detailing place the dealer out sourced the car to, at about half the price. The second car we bought, from the same dealer, we were offered a similar protection package, but this time with ding removal. We negotiated that price down by about a third, then took it.

Messages Page 5 of 5

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