Topic: Undercoating/Rustproofing

[menghan]

Hi,
So I just purchased my toyota yesterday and at the financing office I was offered rustproofing/undercoating for 699 with inspection every 2 yrs for 30$.  Since I have read on this forum that dealership's rustproofing is a ripoff I told the guy I'd think about it and will get back to him on it.  But seriously, if I get rustproofing/undercoating done at krown's it's about 109$ per year. I  intent to drive this car to the grounds, so I'm guessing it would last me over 13 yrs?  And so the total cost after 13 years would be around

Krown : 109*13 = 1417$
Dealership = 699 + (13/2) * 30 = 879 $

As you can see, if I take the package at the dealership, then it is way cheaper than at Krown's.  I know people are saying that Krown uses better stuff, but really what do I care if I'm guaranteed, they'll replace it if they do a bad job at the dealership and it starts rusting.

So I don't really understand why most people think rustproofing/undercoating is a ripoff because it seems like a good deal to me... Can someone explain it to me? 

[ovr50]

I think you have to renew the dealership package for some part of it every year also; so I don't think you are comparing apples to apples here. Check on that carefully and make sure the dealership gives you the full answers.

There is no question it is a lucretive profit centre for the dealership and they can be very persuasive in pusing it at you. You can get the same work done at a far better price if you know where to go. I get mine done by the shop that does it for the dealers, except I cut out the middle man and his large mark-up.

Ask around and gather all the info you can before making the committment. You don't have to do it as you take delivery (contrary to what the "finance person" tells you). Same with the extended warranties - you can delay your decision.

Good luck and congrats on your new car.

[HeliDriver]

I know nothing about rustproofing (among many other things ), but here's something that springs to my mind:

The dealer may only charge $30 for a biennial inspection, but my guess is that the inspection will only reveal the need for further touch-ups. After all, why inspect unless you think you might find something that needs to be fixed?

Before you can do the math, you need to find out how much these additional touch-ups would cost.

[articsteve]

but really what do I care if I'm guaranteed, they'll replace it if they do a bad job at the dealership and it starts rusting.

If your car starts rusting they will NOT replace anything.  Read the fine print.  You could have massive surface rust all over the rear wheel wells and trunk lid for years and years and still that would not qualify.  The guarantee is for HOLES only.  They call it rust "perforation".  Rust perforation is not surface rust.  Surface rust is what people think of as rust, which it is.  However, for the purposes of the warranty it is not.  It is the precursor to rust perforation.

If you get to the point of rust perforation and it is honoured under warranty what they do is patch it up with bondo and spot paint just that area.  They will not replace it with sheet metal.  They also will keep your car for much longer than you think. But by this time your car is an embarrassment to drive and has zero value all because you think your saving money.

In addition to all this, a Krowned car will in most cases not require brake lines and fuel lines or gas tanks to be replace just to name a few items.  Using the dripless dealer stuff absolutely guarantees that you will replace those above-mentioned items which are not covered under the "warranty".

Where do you drive? It makes a big difference.  Get Krown every other year. Tell the Krown people you are not interested in hearing about their warranty either.  Take note that Krown does not warranty above the bottom of the windows.  In other words  if rust perforation happens on the pillars, roof and hatch it does not qualify. Wash your car frequently in winter.

[si]

$30 dollar "inspections" bi-annually - not including spot touch ups!

Anyway.  Don't know where you live.  If you live where they use salt, or another electrolyte compound, and you intend on keeping the car, rustproofing is good.

[Craig]

The dealership rustproofing is a ripoff because it doesn't work, not because it costs more than Krown.

[agivant]

Congrat, I've bought mine a month ago, they try to sell if for $700, was ready to lower it to $500. IMHO doesn't worth your money.

[menghan]

Another question.. should I get the block heater... I ask several people and I'm getting mixed comments about it... My mom never had it on her Acclaim (13 yrs old car) and it was always parked outside the garage.  and not once we had problem starting it up.

Does the block heater protects the car in any way or it just reduce the "warm up" time?

[ovr50]

The block heater is necessary if you are in winter climate that can get very cold ie. below about -17C, eg. on the Prairies. I'm assuming you are in the GTA? If so, you may not need it but you might want it anyway. The block heater just makes starting a cold engine that much easier and can reduce wear&tear on the engine due to unlubricated parts rubbing together. Block heater installed should be about $100 or so. Depends where you live and how cold it gets.

[menghan]

I live in Ottawa, and it does get as cold as -30 some days.

[ovr50]

I would definitely have a block heater in Ottawa. It is so much easier on your engine on those cold morning starts.

[articsteve]

Yes, if your thinking is that your going to keep this Toyota till it blows up then a  block heater saves so much engine wear and starter wear particularily on non synthetic oil engines.  Plus the heater gets up to temp fast.
 

[froggy]

How hard is it to install??

[articsteve]

On a brand new car not a problem.  If it is then a hose heater is an option that I actually prefer on any V engine.