Aftermarket Paint, Fabric, & Rust Protection

[DHonzik]

The dealer offers Paint, Fabric, & Rust Protection from a company called the Protector for $1169. Are these packages worth the price or is it another way the dealership takes you to the bank?


Daniel W. Honzik
Future owner of a 2005 Salsa Red Prius, Package #6

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Pure dealer profit IMHO.

[smasho]

Worth the price? Figures may vary from store to store, but here is a listing of the gross profit for various operations at a major chain of dealerships.

New Vehicles .......................7.8%
Retail Used Vehicles ..........14.3%
Wholesale Used Vehicles ......2.9%
Finance & Insurance ..........99.6%
Service & Parts .................48.1%

The items you mentioned fall under the F&I category and are some of the most profitable items there are. Judge for yourself, but 99.6% profit. Wow!


Source: 2004 Annual Report, Lithia Motors Inc. As i have an equity position in them I'd advise you to buy 'em if your buying from Lithia . :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[DHonzik]

Well, I kinda figure it was a big profit maker for the dealership, but I want to know if getting the protection somewhere else which would cost less is worth the money.



Daniel Honzik
Future owner 05 Salsa Red Prius /w Package 6

[Gen2]

IMO these protection packages are scare tactics. You can do the same job for the cost of a few spray cans, if you really feel that they are necessary.

The interior fabric is microfiber which is naturally super easy to clean. if you want to worry about it then buy a can of spray protectant and do it yourself for $5.00

Rust protection is covered under warranty. If you are concerned about very long term ownership, then you will have to wash and care for the car anyway (or else they will deny you coverage) so you're not likely to gain anything with their coverage.

The paint protection is similar to rust protection, you still have to do some sort of maintence (some companies tell you up front, most don't). This consists of going back and giving them more money to refreseh the alleged lifetime coating (obviously it wears off). Search for my other posts on PC about how to properly care for the exterior. Its not that hard and your car will always look good.

$1000 can buy several lifetime worth of wax and sprays. Save your money and enjoy your car.

[sutherlin12]

I have the rust protection simply because it dampens sound. IMO the car is much quieter with it than without.

[Gen2]

I have the rust protection simply because it dampens sound. IMO the car is much quieter with it than without.

Boy, they gave you a super heavy cpating of product, mosty of the time you cannot tell the difference. It is actually quite difficult to reduce the noise levels einside a car to any satidfctory degree. Check out the Dynamat posts on PC to see what I mean.

(I used to be in the auto business; rust proofing/sound deander/undercoating was a good way to make a fast buck with a quick spray of very little material.)

[NCPrius]

Similarly, pretty much every Prius out here in NC has the $619 Toyoguard (or $699 Toyoguard Plus) package aboard. Is anything in that package NOT a ripoff? I've read that the ivory fabric inside is very easily soiled and sometimes hard to clean -- I'm hoping I can make enough noise about this "fabric protectant" to get them to do something if I'm in that boat.

[jayman]

If you live in the Rust Belt then it may make sense to have a *good* rustproofing done. This usually entails an annual oily spray into the crevices and all underneath the car.

I've used Rust Check for over 20 years and it's about the only product that seems to work as advertised:

http://www.rustcheck.com

AFAIK Rust Check is only available in Canada.

[Gen2]

If I remember correctly, all the protectant packages are mosrly profit. I have the beige interior and have not had problems cleaning it. Keep in mind that its micrifiber, not cloth. Ig you are worried about it just gat a can of aftermarket fabric protectant for a dew dollars and do it yourself.

if you are ion an area that is prone to severe rust, keep in mind that tje Prius already has an anti-rust package and or rust resistant alloys and is covered by an anti-rust through warranty (check out your specific coverage). The reason that aftermarket rust protection applications work so well now is that tpdays cars are a lot more rust resistant than 20 years ago. YMMV