Buying New car: dealer options help (Rust proofing?)

AnMig

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2000
1,760
3
81
Buying a new car this Friday, dealer sent me a few dealer options to review. Now I am leery on all of them but need help on some of them. Please give your input yes or no?


Service contract-probably wont get this ($3778)
Guaranteed Auto Protection -wont get this ($600)
Protection Package-probably wont get this ($399)
Crystal Fusion-on the fence on this ($399)
Venture Shield-wont get this ($399)
Tire Protection-wont get this ($649)
Audi Care-will probably get this ($749)

We will likely keep the car a long time (I have had my civic for 8 years and Odessey for 9 years) so this is our first expensive car.

-we live 4 hours away from the dealer
-we live in rural MN
-our insurance has glass coverage with no deductions
-AUDI Q5

Thank you.

Service Contract – extended warranty. I priced out a 7 year, up to 100,000 mile plan. This is platinum coverage which is the most similar to the manufacturer’s warranty. This contract does have a $100 deductible. If you plan on keeping your car past the manufacturer’s warranty, I do recommend adding this now as it will cost you less money to purchase.



Guaranteed Auto Protection – AKA GAP. This would take care of the balance on your loan, should the vehicle be totaled or stolen. Your insurance company will pay fair market value, and if there is a difference between that and the loan balance, the GAP coverage will pay it. They will also pay your insurance deductible. I highly recommend this if you are not putting at least 20% down on your vehicle purchase.



Protection Package – This is a clear coat that would be applied to the entire exterior of the vehicle, as well as the interior leather and fabric surfaces. The exterior will protect against all environmental things that would eat through the paint (for example: salt damage, bug damage, tree sap, etc). The interior is a stain repellant for the flooring and your cloth mats, also a leather protectant. It would prevent any discoloration from the leather, as well as any fading. There is a 5 year warranty with this product



Crystal Fusion – This is a chemical treatment which gets applied to the windshield. It will make the glass 10 times stronger, therefore protecting against rock chips and any small pits that sometimes happens. It also works like a permanent Rain X. It repels water, so it increases visibility in bad weather. Also, it significantly reduces night glare. There is a 5 year warranty with this product, as well as a repair clause.



Venture Shield – This is our version of Clear Bra. It is a plastic wrap that goes around the entire front end of the vehicle to protect the paint from rock chips. It goes ~16” up the hood, over the headlight covers, the fender and bumper, and the back of the side mirrors. This is great for lower sitting cars. The applicator provides a lifetime warranty with his product. It is also cut by the VIN, never on the vehicle itself.



Tire Protection – This is Road Hazard Protection. It will replace a wheel or tire, should you drive over something in the road (a pothole, glass from an accident, etc). It also provides Road Side Assistance. This is a 5 year plan.



Audi Care – This is pre-paying for all the regularly scheduled maintenance items during the 4 year, 50,000 mile factory warranty. You will save about $300.00 by purchasing this product, vs. paying for each service separately.
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
The only one I would get is Venture Shield. That stuff actually works great.
 

mparr1708

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
258
0
0
If you are not getting GAP coverage in some other form and you are financing the vehicle I would highly recommend you take their coverage. Lets say you total the car on your drive home. What the insurance says its worth is likely to be less then what you owe the bank. GAP takes care of this amount. If you don't have GAP its coming out of your pocket to finish paying off the loan.
 

DeviousTrap

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2002
4,841
0
71
If you are not getting GAP coverage in some other form and you are financing the vehicle I would highly recommend you take their coverage. Lets say you total the car on your drive home. What the insurance says its worth is likely to be less then what you owe the bank. GAP takes care of this amount. If you don't have GAP its coming out of your pocket to finish paying off the loan.

I'd check with your insurance company before buying GAP. Most offer some sort of loan pay-out option now-a-days, I know with progressive they call it "Loan/Lease Payoff Coverage", and it's much cheaper than the $600 the dealer wants for their policy.

If you have glass coverage, why are you considering the Crystal Fusion crap? I'd try to negotiate Audi Care into the deal, other than that, I'd skip the rest of them imo. Also, if you're interest in a clear-bra, then $399 is a good price.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Buying a new car this Friday, dealer sent me a few dealer options to review. Now I am leery on all of them but need help on some of them. Please give your input yes or no?


Service contract-probably wont get this ($3778)
Guaranteed Auto Protection -wont get this ($600)
Protection Package-probably wont get this ($399)
Crystal Fusion-on the fence on this ($399)
Venture Shield-wont get this ($399)
Tire Protection-wont get this ($649)
Audi Care-will probably get this ($749)

We will likely keep the car a long time (I have had my civic for 8 years and Odessey for 9 years) so this is our first expensive car.

-we live 4 hours away from the dealer
-we live in rural MN
-our insurance has glass coverage with no deductions
-AUDI Q5

Thank you.

Service Contract – extended warranty. I priced out a 7 year, up to 100,000 mile plan. This is platinum coverage which is the most similar to the manufacturer’s warranty. This contract does have a $100 deductible. If you plan on keeping your car past the manufacturer’s warranty, I do recommend adding this now as it will cost you less money to purchase.



Guaranteed Auto Protection – AKA GAP. This would take care of the balance on your loan, should the vehicle be totaled or stolen. Your insurance company will pay fair market value, and if there is a difference between that and the loan balance, the GAP coverage will pay it. They will also pay your insurance deductible. I highly recommend this if you are not putting at least 20% down on your vehicle purchase.



Protection Package – This is a clear coat that would be applied to the entire exterior of the vehicle, as well as the interior leather and fabric surfaces. The exterior will protect against all environmental things that would eat through the paint (for example: salt damage, bug damage, tree sap, etc). The interior is a stain repellant for the flooring and your cloth mats, also a leather protectant. It would prevent any discoloration from the leather, as well as any fading. There is a 5 year warranty with this product



Crystal Fusion – This is a chemical treatment which gets applied to the windshield. It will make the glass 10 times stronger, therefore protecting against rock chips and any small pits that sometimes happens. It also works like a permanent Rain X. It repels water, so it increases visibility in bad weather. Also, it significantly reduces night glare. There is a 5 year warranty with this product, as well as a repair clause.



Venture Shield – This is our version of Clear Bra. It is a plastic wrap that goes around the entire front end of the vehicle to protect the paint from rock chips. It goes ~16” up the hood, over the headlight covers, the fender and bumper, and the back of the side mirrors. This is great for lower sitting cars. The applicator provides a lifetime warranty with his product. It is also cut by the VIN, never on the vehicle itself.



Tire Protection – This is Road Hazard Protection. It will replace a wheel or tire, should you drive over something in the road (a pothole, glass from an accident, etc). It also provides Road Side Assistance. This is a 5 year plan.



Audi Care – This is pre-paying for all the regularly scheduled maintenance items during the 4 year, 50,000 mile factory warranty. You will save about $300.00 by purchasing this product, vs. paying for each service separately.


Get the clear bra thing, the rest of it is just pure margin. That audi is galvanized from factory, i wouldn't worry about rust.

About that true coat...
 
Last edited:

AnMig

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2000
1,760
3
81
Thanks guys will look into the GAP coverage with my insurance company, will also take a second look at the Venture shield did not want any bra on the vehicle but if it is totaly transparent I guess in wont ruin the appearance.

What about the Crystal Clear (wife sort of wants this) not much info on the net about this.
 

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Thanks guys will look into the GAP coverage with my insurance company, will also take a second look at the Venture shield did not want any bra on the vehicle but if it is totaly transparent I guess in wont ruin the appearance.

What about the Crystal Clear (wife sort of wants this) not much info on the net about this.

Just get a thing of rain-x
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
You can get gap through your insurance.

The rest sound overpriced for what they are except maybe the service contract, as long as it's transferable. it is expensive, though. I don't know the odds of you otherwise paying $3700 + deductibles in repairs, statistically you'd lose money with this of course but I would still consider it.

$400 for that fusion sounds a rip. You can get a new windshield on most cars for less if you need one, or get the occasional chip well repaired/filled for a tenth of that. Rainx works well but is cheap to put on.

My guess is the salesmen high-five each other when customers buy any of these to be honest. If you hadn't heard of them would you really have felt something in life missing? Probably not.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,907
0
76
Maybe the bra, get GAP through your normal ins co if necessary (not a big down payment), otherwise skip everything


lol crystal fusion, "It will make the glass 10 times stronger"
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Maybe the bra, get GAP through your normal ins co if necessary (not a big down payment), otherwise skip everything


lol crystal fusion, "It will make the glass 10 times stronger"
Stronger than Carbon Fiber!

http://cftproducts.com/q_and_a.htm

Crystal Fusion™ improves driver reaction time by keeping windshields and glass surfaces clearer.
Wow!

Crystal Fusion™ bonds with glass at the molecular level.
Doesn't everything really bond at the molecular level?
 
Last edited:

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,830
3
0
Holy crap... I can't believe how much this stuff costs. Personally I just wouldn't buy an Audi, or any other luxury vehicle for that matter. What does an Audi have that a modern Honda or Toyota doesn't? Money down the drain.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,830
3
0
BTW that windshield treatment is clearly BS. There is no way any polymer coating will be as hard as glass, or even strengthen it by the amount they claim.
And they know it. Why would you give ANY money to someone knowingly trying to rip you off?

You must really want an Audi minivan bad to put up with that BS.
 

AnMig

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2000
1,760
3
81
Thanks a lot guys for the responses, decided to get the Venture Shield (Clear Bra) as it does at least sound like it will protect the front from dings.

Will definetly get the GAP coverage, will call our own insurance to see if it is cheaper to get it thru them.

Hate car shopping got talked into $2000 navigation system by the wife, even when I explained to her that we can get an aftermarket one for $200. Its like you go to the dealer with a plan and list of things that you want and do not want but eventually buy the car thats available. Still cant beleive I spent this much on a car when I was totally happy with a practical, efficient civic for the past few years. daughter will be inheriting the civic hence the new car.

Thanks again.
 

dirtboy

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,745
1
81
Not only would I not get any of that garbage, but I'd consider being 4 hours away from a serving dealer and living in rural MN. You must really like Audi's to put up with that.
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,907
0
76
If you're having second thoughts, and your wife is talking you into wasting money, you should look at something else...


I can't believe she wanted the crystal thing. No offense, but you wife seems very gullible/clueless about this stuff
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
In-car navigation is huge ripoff. If you think $2000 for the system is painful, wait until you see the price for a map upgrade.

Garmin's lifetime map update price is $120. Personally, I just buy a new unit every couple years and get my map updates that way, since navigation hardware/software is obsoleted pretty quickly (even the built-in units).

Venture Shield is worth it, especially for $399. Aftermarket installs can be $500 or more. It definitely does it's job against rock chips. Then again, you could always just pay $500 and have your bumper repainted in 5 years, or not worry about rock chips at all (careful driving can keep it minimally visible). Venture Shield is clear and hard to see from casual observation, but you can see it up close. Also remember that dirt adheres to plastic differently than it adheres to the rest of your car, so you'll be able to see it much easier if your car isn't kept reasonably clean.

The rest of the stuff is either snake oil, or things you can purchase for much less elsewhere. Things like GAP coverage, flat repair/roadside assistance are things your insurance company will happily sell to you for a few dollars extra per month on your premium.

Regarding protecting your car's interior/exterior, do it yourself or find a detailer in your area. Try to get it done right after you take delivery of the car. Things to do:

Wash, clay, wax exterior surfaces
Scotch Guard spray on carpet
Wipe down interior plastic/leather/etc. with UV protection cleaner
 
Last edited:

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
0
Holy crap... I can't believe how much this stuff costs. Personally I just wouldn't buy an Audi, or any other luxury vehicle for that matter. What does an Audi have that a modern Honda or Toyota doesn't? Money down the drain.

340hp or smile on your face when you drive it...
I've driven many a civic and all of them are about as much fun as watching lifetime on cable*.

* Ok, my roommate's civic Si was neat, but still underpowered.
 
Last edited:

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,830
3
0
340hp or smile on your face when you drive it...
I've driven many a civic and all of them are about as much fun as watching lifetime on cable*.

* Ok, my roommate's civic Si was neat, but still underpowered.

A sports sedan I could understand (though not the Audi premium). But a smile on your face from driving an Audi minivan?
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
A sports sedan I could understand (though not the Audi premium). But a smile on your face from driving an Audi minivan?
I'd rather get an 2010 MDX, personally. Acura's SH-AWD is rated quite high (not to mention Acura's reliability and resale). Does the Q5's Quattro system have torque-vectoring like Acura?
 
Last edited:

mparr1708

Senior member
Jan 5, 2005
258
0
0
The OP asked for opinions on dealer options not on the Audi he already chose with his wife. If he wants an Audi that's his business. Crapping on his choice of vehicle seems a little immature to me.

Also, for what its worth a modern day luxury car has a lot that a modern day Toyota or Honda doesn't have. The main reason I buy luxury (I have a Mercedes currently)? The level of service at the dealer. The buying experience is completely different once you make it into the luxury segment. Not to mention the car drives better, performs better, has more options, etc.

My 2 cents
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
8
0
The OP asked for opinions on dealer options not on the Audi he already chose with his wife. If he wants an Audi that's his business. Crapping on his choice of vehicle seems a little immature to me.

Also, for what its worth a modern day luxury car has a lot that a modern day Toyota or Honda doesn't have. The main reason I buy luxury (I have a Mercedes currently)? The level of service at the dealer. The buying experience is completely different once you make it into the luxury segment. Not to mention the car drives better, performs better, has more options, etc.

My 2 cents


HaHaHa... do you also buy monster cables to get the most from your HD signal. :awe:
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
I'd give you outstanding customer service as well if you bought a $2000 GPS unit from me.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
8
0
I'd give you outstanding customer service as well if you bought a $2000 GPS unit from me.


HA!! I'll give outstanding customer service for a $1950 gps. This offer is onyl good for the next 30minutes. Will through in a gold plated set of Monster cables. The highest quality and finest Lux cables for your GPS.



:awe:
 
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