# Okay, is the "Undercoating Protection Package" really worth it on a new car? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437 "2005-04-27T20:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/1 "2005-04-27T20:54:22Z")
**Stainz** and I are looking to buy a new Vehicle. It’s looking like a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. I was chatting with the dealer and of course he brings up the Undercoating and Protection package. Is this worth getting? I never asked the price. Now we are hoping to keep this vehicle for 7-10 years. We live in Canada and have down to -30c in the winter and 35+c in the summer. They don’t use salt on the roads when it is slippery, they use de-icing fluid and sand. Do modern paint jobs rust as easy as they did 10 years ago? How much is too much for this option? If they offer it to me for less than $500 should I take it? Thanks! MtM ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/2 "2005-04-27T21:15:34Z")
No, they are not worth it, even in the northern climes. Get your car washed occasionally and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/3 "2005-04-27T21:15:58Z")
It’s not worth it. You car comes from the factory with all the paint and corrosion protection it needs. Simply keeping it clean will do more to prevent corrosion than whatever the dealer will do. The dealer undercoating and paint protection is a ripoff. Undercoating can actually cause problems by plugging up tiny drain holes on the car’s underside, leading to trapped water and the corrosion you were trying to prevent in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/4 "2005-04-27T21:28:05Z")
You also don’t need the interior protection coating crap, just in case you were wondering. If you’re worried, buy a couple cans of Scotchguard. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/5 "2005-04-27T21:29:04Z")
Well, this is complete hearsay, but a car dealer acquaintance of mine has told me it’s a complete ripoff, and sort of gloats about how he rips off people by selling it to them for prices as high as $2000 (he deals in luxury vehicles.) At any rate, he makes a nice living from plying that crap. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/6 "2005-04-27T21:49:33Z")
Another vote for the crap column. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/7 "2005-04-27T21:57:02Z")
I don’t know. If this person you’re planning to buy the car with is name **Stainz** … ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/8 "2005-04-27T21:57:59Z")
As a long time subscriber to Consumer Reports… another no vote. CR has said that about the only thing the package does is add several pounds to the car while removing several dollars from your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/9 "2005-04-27T21:59:10Z")
I make it a deal-breaker. Salesman: “I need to tell you about–” Me: “Ho-ho-hold it right there. If at any point in our relationship, you should say the words ‘undercoating,’ ‘paint protection,’ ‘rustguarding’ or even bring up any additional packaging, I will walk out and not come back.” And I do. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/10 "2005-04-28T00:39:46Z")
😃 to **psudotriton** I’ll have to remember that one the next time I go car-shopping… ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/11 "2005-04-28T01:03:36Z")
> [@pseudotriton ruber ruber](#): > > I make it a deal-breaker. > > Salesman: “I need to tell you about–” > > Me: “Ho-ho-hold it right there. If at any point in our relationship, you should say the words ‘undercoating,’ ‘paint protection,’ ‘rustguarding’ or even bring up any additional packaging, I will walk out and not come back.” > > And I do. Add to that “Gap Coverage” and “Extended Warranty” (unless you’re severely upside-down on your trade in, or you drive over 100,000 miles per year). ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/12 "2005-04-28T02:07:58Z")
It’s been a while since I was in a showroom but maybe I need to update my list of magic words. (“Say one of them and make my ass disappear.”) Any other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/13 "2005-04-28T02:14:56Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > Add to that “Gap Coverage” and “Extended Warranty” (unless you’re severely upside-down on your trade in, or you drive over 100,000 miles per year). …or your car is Korean make or a Chrysler that doesn’t already have a longer “buy me” type of warranty. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/14 "2005-04-28T03:12:31Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by jasonh300 > > Add to that “Gap Coverage” and “Extended Warranty” (unless you’re severely upside-down on your trade in, or you drive over 100,000 miles per year). > > …or your car is Korean make or a Chrysler that doesn’t already have a longer “buy me” type of warranty. I’m sorry, I’m not quite following this – my Korean Hyundai has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Why do I need the “Gap Coverage” or “Extended Warranty”? ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/15 "2005-04-28T14:28:22Z")
> [@StephenG](#): > > I’m sorry, I’m not quite following this – my Korean Hyundai has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Why do I need the “Gap Coverage” or “Extended Warranty”? You don’t. It already has the ‘buy me’ warranty **Balthisar** was talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/16 "2005-04-28T16:46:53Z")
> [@jasonh300](#): > > Add to that “Gap Coverage” and “Extended Warranty” ( **unless you’re severely upside-down on your trade in** , or you drive over 100,000 miles per year). _bolding mine_ That would be me. I can’t afford not to have that coverage on my 2005 Hyundai Elantra. I had to ditch my van because I couldn’t afford gas anymore. I drive a lot and paying upwards of $65+ for a tank of gas is what convinced me to trade that fucker in. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/17 "2005-04-29T02:48:12Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > You don’t. It already has the ‘buy me’ warranty **Balthisar** was talking about. Oh, thank you – I read it as a descriptive clause, not a restrictive clause. My mistake, and I get it now. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/18 "2005-04-29T12:50:25Z")
I’ve never even heard of such a thing before now. Just wash the car; you’ll be fine. In the winter, you can stop by a car wash and use the high-pressure hose rather than trying to wash it at home. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/19 "2005-04-29T13:59:20Z")
> [@Jeep's Phoenix](#): > > I’ve never even heard of such a thing before now. You’ve never seen _Fargo_? ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437/20 "2005-04-29T17:32:53Z")
Actually, what you can do is get through the entire process, agree on a final number, and THEN change your mind on the undercoating/paint protection crap, and tell him to back it out of the final number. And watch him squirm. (Note: Never tried that, but I might need to next time!) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-is-the-undercoating-protection-package-really-worth-it-on-a-new-car/301437.md?page=2)