When buying a new car and the dealer asks you if you want rustproofing, what exactly is that? Is that just a fancy word for "additional dealer markup", and is it really necessary?

 

Before I say anything else ask your self if you are going to even keep the car for longer than the rust warranty which on my 95 was 5Years unlimeted miles.You most likely answered no to that question judging by the fact you have a 97 and you are buying a new car allready.So if thats true and you buy a new car about every 3 years or so then don't even bother thinking about rust proofing your car I mean when you sell it you are still covered by your factory warranty.Now if you do decide to keep your next car for more than 5 years it still does not matter because cars don't really rust anymore and should be fine for atleast 10 years probably much longer though.I do not no how good rust proofing is since I have never done it because of the things I mentioned above,but maybe it does work but who knows.I say Dont bother I think it is just a way the dealer try to make more $$$$$$ by ripping you off.This is just my personal opinion which I have gathered from others over the years.Come to think of it I think my car was rust proofed it sure looks like there is all that glop under my car hmmmm no you got me wondering haha Peace.

 

Just to clarify, the new car in question is for my parents, who plan to replace their 1991 Maxima with a 2000/2001 Maxima, and who plan to keep the car for a good 10 years. They live in Chicago, which means the car will see all sorts of inclement weather and will be driven through salted streets. The car will be almost never garaged (they only have a small 1-car garage which the Sentra fits much better). Also, the term "Car wash" is foreign to them.

My inclination was to say No to rustproofing, based on a lot of the reasons you stated. I was just wondering though if anyone knew any differently. Also, what exactly does the rustproofing "process" entail?

 

Absolutely nothing! I used to work at Powers Nissan, and we have a $495 add on to every car called the Powers Protection Plan. We were instructed to tell our customers that this included rust-proofing the undercarriage, scotchgaurding the interior, and adding an additional clear-coat to protect the paint from rock chips, scratches, etc. We did none of that, and all it is is ADDITIONAL DEALER PROFIT!!! Even if you pay extra for it, they won't do anything to it. If your wanting rustproofing, go to Walmart and pickup a can of rubberized undercarriage coating, about $10 a can, and spray the undercoating of the car.

Also, Nissan has a 5 year unlimited mileage warrantee for rusting, as well as a lifetime warrantee for seatbelts, lifetime warrantee for timing chain (they will prolly find a way out of this one), all kinds of stuff. Its all in the owners packet that has a book about the warantees on the car.

Coming from a Cerified Nissan Sales Associate, don't pay extra for anything!! Heck, you can even get free window tinting if you while enough! After you got them as low as they will go, say, "Well, if it had window tint, I would pay that price", and they will more then likely tint the windows for free. Also remember this, the dealer will not go under what they paid for that car. They WILL make at least $500 gross profit on it. Here's an example, I sold a 2k SE-5spd with Bose, C&C, floormats, and mud gaurds. Sticker was $28000~ We owned it for $24700~. I sold it to him for $25200~. Also, dealers that sell more new cars get their cars from Nissan cheaper. SO go to a high volume Nissan Dealer, and with some haggling, you will get the best deal.

 

Let me answer this with a link -> http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Happy shopping.