[dvpatel]

We just picked up our new 2001 Accord LX-V6 yesterday. The dealer was trying to sell this car care program and wanted like $300 for it. He said that they will treat the outside and the inside with some chemicals that repel stains etc. He also said that I can take the car in every 6 months and they will detail it for free and reapply those chemicals for free on the inside of the car. This is a 5 year plan and if anything happens to the inside seats (stains etc) they will try to remove them and if they can't they will replace seats for free.

They were trying to sell the same things to us 3 months ago when we bought the ody. Is this plan worth it??? From economics point of view a detail costs $79 at that same place and I will get 10 details which amount to $790 alone and the interior is also covered?? Buy or not to?

 

[Llarry]

These plans are designed to be profit generators for the dealership. As a person who enjoys doing my own car care, I am biased. If you don't like washing/waxing your vehicles, you might consider this plan, although I guess I am also skeptical whether the exterior care they do would measure up to a decent wax job.

One of the first things I do when I take delivery of a new vehicle is to Scotchguard the carpet and upholstery fabric. For an Ody, might take two cans of carpet protectant. Maybe $15-20 total and an hour or two of your time. Unless the vehicle has been sitting on a dealer's lot for a while (hah! An Odyssey sitting? Never!) the paint should be okay and you can wax it right away. A couple of times I have paid a detailer ($80ish) to put the first wax on.