Are protection packages worth it on new vehicle?

[DDK Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDK]

I just ordered a brand new Prado - the new upgraded model, I’ll likely get it early November, so very excited!
The dealer is pushing some protection packages- paint protection, interior protection and rust protection (electronic device).
I know why the dealer is pushing it - more revenue for them; but are these things worth the additional money? Looking at roughly $1500 for each item, or $3500 for all of it.
My gut tells me that it is not worth it, e.g. I would expect that the paint is already protected when it comes out of the factory, but happy to hear your opinions on the matter!

(also, if anyone is interested in buying a 2014 GXL 3.0d with 107k km and all the bells and whistles let me know!)

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Not worth it. Ask them if the car is so bad from the factory why you would buy it?

[SimonW Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SimonW]

OEMs spend too much coin on R&D to dick around with "snake oil" products. This sort of shit joins the equation at the dealership level of the supply chain where the salespeople to engineer ratio is a little different to that of where the true magic happens at Toyota Japan . If they can't supply a (verifiable) Toyota part number then there is your clue! Trust your gut

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

$1,500 per item, huh? Did they let you speak when they asked if you’d be interested in these packages before they immediately started talking in a nonstop 5 minute sales rant. I got cut-off once when I went to answer “no, I’m not interested” after being asked. When the saleswoman finished her “forced on me” speal and asked again if any of that interested me, I again replied “no sorry, I’m not interested.” Should’ve seen the evil look she gave me for a moment. She got out of her chair, walked off and said thankyou for your time as she was walking few meters away. Funny as. I guess customers were cottoning onto their antics (early 2000’s) and way overpriced products and her commissions were taking a nose dive.

[RedAdventureWagon Member Find all posts View Profile Close RedAdventureWagon]

Not worth it IMO - the paint on years old Toyotas seems fine still, the interior you can clean with a cloth, and the rust prevention thing is a nonsense flashing light.

[Guest Close Guest]

Google rust protection scam, the electronic devices will pop up. Even the Govt is warning consumers to not buy them. Paint protection is great for the dealers pockets. Again a scam rip off. Have it done by an external professional if you are wanting it.

[Guest Close Guest]

And out of that 3500 there is about 500 in actual costs.. Aftermarket is where the dealers make up a lot of their loss on sales discounts of the actual vehicle.

[DDK Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDK]

Thanks for the feedback everyone; you’ve confirmed my suspicion. I also googled this afternoon and found that I could get the whole thing for about 25% of what they were asking if I really wanted it. So I have sent them a polite email to decline their offer.

[DDK Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DDK]

$1,500 per item, huh? Did they let you speak when they asked if you’d be interested in these packages before they immediately started talking in a nonstop 5 minute sales rant. I got cut-off once when I went to answer “no, I’m not interested” after being asked. When the saleswoman finished her “forced on me” speal and asked again if any of that interested me, I again replied “no sorry, I’m not interested.” Should’ve seen the evil look she gave me for a moment. She got out of her chair, walked off and said thankyou for your time as she was walking few meters away. Funny as. I guess customers were cottoning onto their antics (early 2000’s) and way overpriced products and her commissions were taking a nose dive.

We were running late when we got to her, so we told her that we were out of time and that she should send an email with the details - seems like that saved us some pain

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

I wouldn't bother. You can get it down after pickup for much cheaper if you really want it. Stain guard on the seats is handy if you have kids or pets. You can do this DIY if you get the chemical yourself.

If you want to maintain the shine of the factory paint and not pay a premium for paint protection buy paint sealant like Menzerna Power Lock and put on two coats initially then a coat every 6 months. You want to do this soon after pickup before you get road grime stuck to the paint.

[GeeWhizz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeeWhizz]

When I bought our Prado, the sales person had a wad of papers to go through. She got to the extra warranties and aftermarket nonsense pages, looked at me in the eye and flicked them over. Either she had a conscience or she was a mind reader. 'Nuf said.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

I like their expression when you state - so Toyota paint is so poor on a $70,000 plus Prado I need to protect it with some aftermarket crap, can I order a non painted one and I’ll get a decent paint job done?

[randog78 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close randog78]

The same goes for window tinting. They charge through the roof for a standard tint ($299 for just the driver and front passenger windows), which I declined. I then went to the local shop around the corner and they said they actually used to do the tinting for the very same dealership I bought from, but gave it up because Toyota kept pushing the price down until it wasn't worth it for them. They would do the two front windows for $110 or all windows for $275. She even told me that the factory "tint" from Toyota is only 30% UV protection as it is just "privacy glass". I also got a darker tint (probably darker than legal, but hey - it's Queensland!).

[ClunkiestWig Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ClunkiestWig]

Salespeople will always try and throw it in hoping that you'll just add it to the finance and not worry about the exorbitant prices they charge. I have been considering paint protection film (PPF) for the whole car as I want to avoid scratches from the odd branch that overhangs the track when off-roading but I'm still trying to justify whether it's worth the $5k to do it.

Fun fact - when dealerships receive a trade-in vehicle which has window tinting, the first thing they do is remove the tint on the front windows to then sell tint to whoever buys the car second-hand.