Top 3 Optional Car Extras to Avoid at all Costs
As you look ahead at all of the important items on your vehicle buying checklist, one major detail you will want to factor in is whether or not you will purchase some additional features with your new car.
Just as there are some functional vehicle add-ons that you will want to consider when you are buying a car – there are also some extras that you may want to think twice about. Taking this even a step further you may want to opt out of them as you realize that not only are they unnecessary, they may also not be worth the added cost.
So without further ado, here are 5 optional vehicles extras that you will want to reconsider and even avoid at all costs.
1. Rustproofing
If you have ever spoken to someone who has recently purchased a new vehicle, it is also likely that you have heard them say that the dealer tried to convince them to include vehicle rustproofing into their final package. Interestingly enough, however, there are many critics who will tell you to avoid paying for rustproofing at all costs. Not only is it often way overpriced, the quality of this service can also be poor. Instead, car experts suggest that if you have your car washed and waxed on a regular basis, in combination with the manufacturing rustproofing that already exists, your car will remain in good condition for almost the same amount of time (7+years), that the dealer warranty for this service will last.
2. Paint & Fabric Protection
Another extra that many car experts will suggest you opt out of, is the added paint and fabric protection. Again, your paint job already should last for several years without the extra paint protection as well this is likely to cost you several more hundred dollars. In terms of the fabric protection offered through the dealer – it likely very similar to the kind you can find in a supermarket of your choosing. Where the dealer may value this extra at approximately $200, you can buy a product for around $20 and do just as good of a job on your own.
3. Window Etching
If you are not already familiar with what the window etching service entails, it is described as an acid treatment that will burn a car’s specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto each window of that car. Designed to deter car thieves, the VIN comes with a warranty that offers additional insurance coverage, in the instance the car has been stolen. While this does seem like an important feature to include in the purchase of your vehicle, car insiders go on to explain that while it actually costs about $30 – 50 in total, the dealer may charge as much as $250 for this extra. Furthermore, the Insurance Bureau of Canada actually states that window etching is not all that effective in deterring car theft rings that intend to ship your vehicle overseas. As a result, you may want to avoid the extra cost of this service, or consider a do-it yourself version for a lot less.
