Kane52630
Bring Me To Life Evanescence.mp3
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http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1201/5-car-dealer-extras-you-dont-need/
1. Extended Warranties
The extended warranty is one of the most alluring dealer extras. After all, doesnt everyone want a little extra piece of mind? But no matter how good it sounds, remember: Always say no. First of all, your cars original warranty may be all you need -- especially if youre buying a Hyundai or Kia, which both offer lengthy five-year/60,000-mile basic warranties. Many other manufacturers are now also offering five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Secondly, even if you do want an extended warranty, you dont need to purchase one the moment you buy the car. If you want one, you can easily buy it later, either from the car manufacturer or a reputable third-party company (but beware of unsolicited phone or mail offers down the line). The dealer's extended warranty isn't necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more. Plus, you're in a high-pressure situation at the dealer and might not be able to read the fine print. Finally, if you buy the dealers extended warranty, you might be required to return to that dealership to get it honored which could become a problem if you move.
2. Fabric and Paint Protection
Stain protection for your seats and floors can cost hundreds of dollars at the dealership. But while it may make you feel better when youre balancing a milkshake in one hand and driving with the other, its not worth the money. Scotchgard Auto Interior Fabric Protector is available at Wal-Mart or Target (around $10 for a 10-ounce can), and it accomplishes virtually the same thing as what the dealer provides. The only difference is that the dealers fabric protection might come with a warranty, which means theyll cover the cost of removing any stubborn stains.
Another typical dealer extra, Paint Protection, wont accomplish much more than a good coat of wax will. Again, you can apply this yourself by picking up polymer sealant car wax at the auto parts store. Remember that your car already comes with a good coat of sealant from the factory, so you only need to apply wax about once a year.
3. Rustproofing
Unless a car is decades old, rust isnt usually a problem. And unless you plan on keeping your car for decades, you wont need any extra rustproofing. Modern vehicles are built to withstand rust, and nearly every new car comes with a lengthy rust perforation warranty. That makes rustproofing one of the biggest rip-offs a dealer can entice you to buy -- because why would you want to pay for something twice?
4. Maintenance Plans
A maintenance program covers fluid changes and other regular maintenance items as part of your monthly car payment. If you buy such a plan, you wont have to worry about budgeting for car maintenance. However, you will have to take your car to the dealership for service. While buying the maintenance program up front may cost less than paying for individual services at the dealership, it might not cost less than going to an outside repair shop for maintenance. Youll have to do the math to decide if a maintenance plan is right for you.
Note that during negotiations, you might even be able to convince the dealer to throw in a maintenance plan for free. A few automakers already provide maintenance programs for free with a new vehicle. Volkswagen and Volvo offer plans that last three years or 36,000 miles, while BMWs Ultimate Service program runs for four years or 50,000 miles. Scion provides the first two maintenance services for free.
5. Ding Protection
Buyers who are worried about cosmetic scratches on their new car might be inclined to opt for Ding Protection. It covers the cost of fixing small dents and scratches (often less than four inches long) for a set period of time. The price varies, but a three-year plan can cost as much as $650.
While this may seem like an alluring offer for a concerned new car owner, thats a lot to pay up front for something you may never use. Even if you do use it, remember that large dents arent typically covered under this type of plan. Will the cost of buffing out small scratches really ever add up to the cost of the protection plan? Unless you repeatedly ram your new car with shopping carts, the answer is probably no.
1. Extended Warranties
The extended warranty is one of the most alluring dealer extras. After all, doesnt everyone want a little extra piece of mind? But no matter how good it sounds, remember: Always say no. First of all, your cars original warranty may be all you need -- especially if youre buying a Hyundai or Kia, which both offer lengthy five-year/60,000-mile basic warranties. Many other manufacturers are now also offering five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Secondly, even if you do want an extended warranty, you dont need to purchase one the moment you buy the car. If you want one, you can easily buy it later, either from the car manufacturer or a reputable third-party company (but beware of unsolicited phone or mail offers down the line). The dealer's extended warranty isn't necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more. Plus, you're in a high-pressure situation at the dealer and might not be able to read the fine print. Finally, if you buy the dealers extended warranty, you might be required to return to that dealership to get it honored which could become a problem if you move.
2. Fabric and Paint Protection
Stain protection for your seats and floors can cost hundreds of dollars at the dealership. But while it may make you feel better when youre balancing a milkshake in one hand and driving with the other, its not worth the money. Scotchgard Auto Interior Fabric Protector is available at Wal-Mart or Target (around $10 for a 10-ounce can), and it accomplishes virtually the same thing as what the dealer provides. The only difference is that the dealers fabric protection might come with a warranty, which means theyll cover the cost of removing any stubborn stains.
Another typical dealer extra, Paint Protection, wont accomplish much more than a good coat of wax will. Again, you can apply this yourself by picking up polymer sealant car wax at the auto parts store. Remember that your car already comes with a good coat of sealant from the factory, so you only need to apply wax about once a year.
3. Rustproofing
Unless a car is decades old, rust isnt usually a problem. And unless you plan on keeping your car for decades, you wont need any extra rustproofing. Modern vehicles are built to withstand rust, and nearly every new car comes with a lengthy rust perforation warranty. That makes rustproofing one of the biggest rip-offs a dealer can entice you to buy -- because why would you want to pay for something twice?
4. Maintenance Plans
A maintenance program covers fluid changes and other regular maintenance items as part of your monthly car payment. If you buy such a plan, you wont have to worry about budgeting for car maintenance. However, you will have to take your car to the dealership for service. While buying the maintenance program up front may cost less than paying for individual services at the dealership, it might not cost less than going to an outside repair shop for maintenance. Youll have to do the math to decide if a maintenance plan is right for you.
Note that during negotiations, you might even be able to convince the dealer to throw in a maintenance plan for free. A few automakers already provide maintenance programs for free with a new vehicle. Volkswagen and Volvo offer plans that last three years or 36,000 miles, while BMWs Ultimate Service program runs for four years or 50,000 miles. Scion provides the first two maintenance services for free.
5. Ding Protection
Buyers who are worried about cosmetic scratches on their new car might be inclined to opt for Ding Protection. It covers the cost of fixing small dents and scratches (often less than four inches long) for a set period of time. The price varies, but a three-year plan can cost as much as $650.
While this may seem like an alluring offer for a concerned new car owner, thats a lot to pay up front for something you may never use. Even if you do use it, remember that large dents arent typically covered under this type of plan. Will the cost of buffing out small scratches really ever add up to the cost of the protection plan? Unless you repeatedly ram your new car with shopping carts, the answer is probably no.
