GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi Everyone!My 06 Vibe got totalled (see hit by a bus) about 2 1/2 weeks ago. We're going to the dealer to look at an 09.The actual saleman isn't a problem.Just the financing office afterwards.Are there any ripoffs I should know about?I already know "Paint Protection/Scotchguard" is a scam.Did anyone buy the extended warranty?Rustproofing?etc?Financing?Nels

My Chrysler dealer got me on locking lug nuts on my leased PT Cruiser. The price of them was buried in something else but when I closely looked at the writeup paper work I saw it. Years before I turned the car in I tool them off and kept them since I paid for them. The next lease from that dealer I said do not even try to sell them to me and I will not take the car if you have them installed on it. It is a money grab and my city is completely safe, no reason to put them on the car! This is not Detroit!They did not and I was happy! Those things are a pain in the (removed) anyway! I do not ever get Rustproofing. Usually Rustproofing must be done yearly not just a one time application.

The rust proofing is a scam. Most of the dealer "special" add-ons are. Just be sure to wash the undercarriage of the car, especially during the winter months, and you shouldn't have a problem.

don't forget to get a waver of depreciation! glad you guys are safe.

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »The rust proofing is a scam. Most of the dealer "special" add-ons are. Just be sure to wash the undercarriage of the car, especially during the winter months, and you shouldn't have a problem. Have you any real shop experience and can compare rust proofed cars against those without? I can and will tell you this. Undercoating/rust proofing works. If your in a state/province that uses salt, buy the undercoating. You'll not regret it. Even if you don't want to pay dealer price, shop around for a place that may offer it cheaper. But still do it.If you plan on keeping the car past its factory warranty, buy the extended. Its like insurance. You may never need it. But one repair visit can more then pay for itself.

How much is the extended warranty? The dealer tried to sell me one that was not worth it at all. Depending on what it covers, it might be a bad deal.

The extended warranty that covers everything for 5 year/ 100,000 miles and not just the drive train costs ~ $1,700.00.

The ex warranty will overlap you factory warranty and I would not buy it. The only thing I would consider is GAP insurance if you are not putting a big down payment on the vehicle. Many insurance companies will add GAP insurance to your auto policy so you may want to check both prices.

Wait, if the extended warranty makes it bumper-to-bumper for 5 years/100,000miles, then that sounds quite worth it! Especially on the first generation of any new car, because you never know what might come up later on down the road.

Then buy it. I just said I would not buy it on a new car and never have in my 30 plus years of buying cars. Sure it is insurance and I happen to have been in the insurance business for 24 yrs. To me the factory warranty will cover major problems the first few years and after that the vehilce is not worth that much anyway. The money that I would pay for the bumper to bumper you speak of I can use for the minor stuff.