Tire and Wheel Protection-do I need this?

[mimi B]

I purchased my '09 Storm Silver Metalic Sport yesterday. My first ever new car purchase! The dealer had several "plans" to sell to me. I said that I needed time to think them over, took the brochures and I have until the end of this month to decide. One is the Exterior paint sealant using R-2000 Dupont Zonyl which would cost me around $225.00. Do I need this? He had coupled this one with the interior fabric protection plan which would be an additional price of $220, but since I don't have little kids to mess up my interior I know I would not bother with that coverage. I could always buy a can or two of scotch guard and do it myself.
The other "plan" is a First Automotive Tire and Wheel Protection plan with a 5 year coverage for $289.00. They stressed the problems with bent rims caused by pot holes in the roads. In northern Maine, we have some humongous pot holes in the winter time! I'm thinking that a Fit could get lost in some of the holes I've seen!
I did purchase the extended 96 month, 120k mile plan for only $100. over the actual dealer cost, thanks to lessons learned on this forum So fellow fit owners, do I need to spend my hard earned money on either of these "plans"? I appreciate your wisdom!

[IS300na-t]

I had them throw this in for free. Doesnt really do much its just I got them to write out if the sealent doesnt work and leaving bird shit residue they would repaint for me. Aside from that i just like how they would detail the car and remove any stains in the interior.

[Surviver of the Fittest]

Originally Posted by mimi B

One is the Exterior paint sealant using R-2000 Dupont Zonyl which would cost me around $225.00. Do I need this?

Please don't get those outragiously overpriced things. paint sealant is just a fancy name for long lasting chemical wax. Dupont Zonyl is similar to teflon.

Here's a guy who compared 8 different paint sealants (including the R2000): 8 Way Paint Sealant Test - Page 5 - Autopia.org

the company that makes the R-2000 paint sealand is CPC corp,and it doesn't have any info on the website and the contact email is on the Comcast domain. probably out of business. Another company used to sell this product for about 35 bucks but they no longer carry it.

My recommendation is to either was the car more often or use a good paint sealant for a fraction of the money the dealer is charging.

The same thing goes for fabric protectant and wheel protectant. these are the stuff w/ the highest profit margin. all they need is finding the next sucker.

my dealer gave me a bottle of sealant for free, and i haven't used it yet.

[niko3257]

Originally Posted by mimi B

I purchased my '09 Storm Silver Metalic Sport yesterday. My first ever new car purchase! The dealer had several "plans" to sell to me. I said that I needed time to think them over, took the brochures and I have until the end of this month to decide. One is the Exterior paint sealant using R-2000 Dupont Zonyl which would cost me around $225.00. Do I need this? He had coupled this one with the interior fabric protection plan which would be an additional price of $220, but since I don't have little kids to mess up my interior I know I would not bother with that coverage. I could always buy a can or two of scotch guard and do it myself.
The other "plan" is a First Automotive Tire and Wheel Protection plan with a 5 year coverage for $289.00. They stressed the problems with bent rims caused by pot holes in the roads. In northern Maine, we have some humongous pot holes in the winter time! I'm thinking that a Fit could get lost in some of the holes I've seen!
I did purchase the extended 96 month, 120k mile plan for only $100. over the actual dealer cost, thanks to lessons learned on this forum So fellow fit owners, do I need to spend my hard earned money on either of these "plans"? I appreciate your wisdom!

IMHO save your money. you could use it for much
better things.

[IS300na-t]

What everyone said. Save your money and dont get it. Only reason I had them do it was since my car is black. I still need to take it back to them since Im making them remove all the squirl marks off the car.

[OrangeRevolution]

The reason the dealers are so interested in this stuff is it's nearly pure profit. Skip it, and get some good stuff (wax, etc.) at one of the online car care places. Don't waste your time with the cheaper junk like $6 Turtle Wax at the local auto parts. There are some really good waxes out there in the $20 to $30 a can/bottle range. Everybody's got an opinion, and there are plenty of comparisons on the net.

[AWDturbo]

Save your money, at least on any paint sealants. The posts above provide the reasons why.

If you want to protect the paint, but don't want to go gangbusters (like I did last year) with a polisher, pads, and polishes & waxes, then spend a little money and get a good wax (P21S gets my vote for wax) or a sealant (like Liquid Glass, which I use cuz it's made locally , or Klasse.) These provide lots of protection, the application process is easy, and if you start now when the car is new, you're good as gold.

Some people will get into recommending putting 3 coats on 3-4 times per year, which is fine if you're entering car shows or the car is used in horrendous weather conditions. I put an initial 2-3 coats Liquid Glass on and then reapply 1 coat in spring and another in fall.

The P21S wax is the best wax I've ever used, and it actually can be applied OVER polymer sealants like LG or Klasse. It's a high grade wax which goes on and buffs off super easy. Good investment.

I get everything through Autopia: Autopia Car Care - Top Car Detailing Supplies, Car Wax, Car Polishers, and Car Care Products

Enjoy!!

[OrangeRevolution]

AWDturbo, that's pretty freaky. I didn't want to start a best wax debate, but that's pretty much what I use: P21S (natural wax) over Klasse All-In-One (polymer wax). Both go on and come off pretty easy and neither leaves white chalk stuck on the rubber/black parts.

If you only want to use one, use the Klasse as it is a synthetic wax and lasts longer than a natural wax. These two waxes last much better and shine much better than cheaper varieties. I usually try for waxing in the fall before all the rain/dirt as a paint protection and once in the spring so it's nice and shiny in the sun.

You can buy the stuff online at places like Autopia, Auto Geeks, Proper Auto Care, etc. These places sell a boat-load of other stuff which you can spend a fortune on. The economy is not so good, so these places often have some deals like free shipping, etc., so check around.

[75r90rider]

Absolutely not. All this stuff dealers sell, extended warranties, paint protection, etc, is HUGE profit and usually a waste. If they were paying out more in claims than they were taking in on premiums, they would not be selling it. If they are selling it, they are probably paying out somewhere in the neighborhood of 50% of what they take in at most. Save your money, stick it in the bank. If you need an extended anything, you're buying the wrong item.

[Surviver of the Fittest]

buy it! buy it! buy it!
every dollar you spend will contribute to our economic recovery. it's not just the dealers but their family and the company who made hte products they sell. and when they spend the your money they are helping more people and their families which in turn will help even more. our economy needs big spenders to keep on rolling and we are all counting on you to save our ass! ;-)

[AWDturbo]

Originally Posted by OrangeRevolution

AWDturbo, that's pretty freaky. I didn't want to start a best wax debate, but that's pretty much what I use: P21S (natural wax) over Klasse All-In-One (polymer wax). Both go on and come off pretty easy and neither leaves white chalk stuck on the rubber/black parts.

If you only want to use one, use the Klasse as it is a synthetic wax and lasts longer than a natural wax. These two waxes last much better and shine much better than cheaper varieties. I usually try for waxing in the fall before all the rain/dirt as a paint protection and once in the spring so it's nice and shiny in the sun.

You can buy the stuff online at places like Autopia, Auto Geeks, Proper Auto Care, etc. These places sell a boat-load of other stuff which you can spend a fortune on. The economy is not so good, so these places often have some deals like free shipping, etc., so check around.

I've always managed to time orders with Autopia to coincide with some sort of special pricing or promotion. I can't recall the details, but I know Autopia utilizes a local business that creates jobs for disabled or otherwise challenged individuals, too, which is great, so I enjoy supporting them by giving them my biz.

[OrangeRevolution]

Originally Posted by AWDturbo

but I know Autopia utilizes a local business that creates jobs for disabled or otherwise challenged individuals, too, which is great, so I enjoy supporting them by giving them my biz.

That's good to know. I've spent too much there. I have their full set of DAS polishing pads and compounds. Works good to get rid of hard water spots and tree junk. They're really nice on the phone as well.