Ceramic Paint Coating etc

MapletonPD · Feb 18, 2022

My local dealer that I’ve bought Hondas from before priced out some ridgelines for me.

They are including a diamond ceramic coating for the paint and some kind of protection for the windows also.

total is around 2k.

They claim they are adding this to all new vehicles and can’t sell me one without it. I’m assuming that’s BS and I just need to go to another dealer. Please advise.

AKSHARK · Feb 18, 2022

Yes, a visit is in order to a different dealer.

Anaximander · Feb 19, 2022

The window coating is a BS deal because it wears off so quickly. However, on day 2 of the ownership of my 2022 RTL, I had a "lifetime" ceramic coating of system X applied to my new Ridgeline on both the exterior and interior of the truck. From all that I have read, a "lifetime" ceramic coating of the highest quality usually last about 6-7 years. The cost at a decent shop if they do the entire truck is usually between $800-1500 so if the application is really put on the entire truck and has a stout warranty, you might not be that far off if you want the truck. Ceramic coatings (SIO2, Silicone Dioxide) add an additional clear coat to your paint that makes hand washing a breeze. In my case, after a wash, I apply Renew from system X in about 15 minutes that adds a touch more layer of ceramic coating to the finish and makes it a bit more hydrophobic. The only thing is that you do not really want to take your truck to a car wash that has dirty brushes that can abrade the ceramic coating and/or cause swirls in your paint. I know these are TRUCKS but I like mine looking nice. I have a picture of it in my garage curing for the 4 days necessary to make it rock hard. The windows were open to allow the interior surfaces to cure as well with the SIO2.

Pster · Feb 26, 2022

Virtually of the add-ons put on vehicles by dealer's which "everyone must pay for" are really, in one form or another, simply warranties. Paint protection to warrant your finish will be nice, fabric and leather protection to warrant your interior will be nice, extended maintenance contracts, Lojacks, Window tints, nitrogen in tires......the "lifetime warranty" gimmick pushed by dealers that was all the craze a few years ago cost the dealer $25 per vehicle. All these add-ons are really just disguised warranties because the upfront cost ot the dealer for a warranty is literally zero, or near zero. A professional detailer told me that ceramic coatings require annual "rejuvenation"......another way to get you back into the dealer to "maintain your ceramic paint warranty". Maybe one day the way we buy new vehicles will change....right now it's why people loathe going to car dealerships.

Hatman1793 · Feb 26, 2022

I think dealer markups are not all that great. So why not fool new hungry buyers into purportedly adding to their bottom line with items they get cheap.
Honda just doesn’t make enough Ridgelines to satisfy demand. Perhaps if the dealer included LifeTime oil changes or wiper blades, or brake pads it might be enough to quell that feeling of being GOUGE?

Pster · Mar 3, 2022

Hatman1793 said:
I think dealer markups are not all that great. So why not fool new hungry buyers into purportedly adding to their bottom line with items they get cheap.
Honda just doesn’t make enough Ridgelines to satisfy demand. Perhaps if the dealer included LifeTime oil changes or wiper blades, or brake pads it might be enough to quell that feeling of being GOUGE?

Yeah, I told the dealer I actually had no problem with paying for add-ons, as long as they made sense and I wanted them. But they persist in putting literally crap on their inventories. In the banking world it is a federal crime to force buyers of banking products to buy other products as a condition to buying another product - it's called "Tying". Completely illegal. Auto dealers do it every day.

Ceramic Paint Coating etc

MapletonPD

AKSHARK

Anaximander

Pster

Hatman1793

Pster

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