I love my G8, but I love the new camaro too.
I drove past our local chevy dealer yesterday and saw a black ss out front, so I just stopped to take a peek. The MSRP was ~$37k, but then I looked closely and saw that they had added (you'll love this) an "Environmental Protection Package" for $1066.44. It adds a protective paint coating and interior fabric and leather guard.
What a crock of sh*t. Do these GM dealers honestly expect us to fall for this crap? What's worse, I checkd the pricing when I got home on the internet, and the vehicle on the website didn't even have that option listed. It only showed $37k. That's simply dishonest. So now, some poor sucker is going to research online, drive to this dealer (probably willing to pay MSRP) and find that it is being offered at a higher price than what it was online, and he's going to have to haggle $1066.44 all because they waxed it.
I'm sorry, but I expect a new car to be waxed and properly cared for by the dealer. That's something all dealerships should do for that new car sale (mine did), and to pass that cost on to the customer or to try and run away with it like that is just poor business.

BTW the dealership is Thomas Chevrolet in West Chester PA. Buyer Beware.

Sad part is people fall for it. Then dealer will lower the price of the car, making it still profit for them, while making the buyer think they got a deal.

My favorite is the "market adjusted value" where they slap an extra charge on the car cause its a car that people actualy want to buy rather then the standard crap they shovel at us and expect us to buy.

The best is the dealer installed packages. $2300 for a grill and chrome B pillars and "Special Edition" badges. It costs $500 for the grill, $125 for the pillars and $20 for the badges. I think that's considered assault in 13 states...

does that price include the Anal Lube?

If I could charge that much for just waxing a car, I might actually get into detailing as a business.

When I got my G8, there was a paint and fabric protection from the previous dealer for $750. I wanted the car, so I bit the bullet and paid the extra amount.

Many dealerships apply a "Paint Protection" package to all their cars without the option to not have it. The dealer I got my G8 from is this way, and the paint still chipped easily.

I agree, it's a crock of isht!

Keep in mind that some of those "enviromental" packages include a warranty on the paint (blemishes from bird droppings or other staining) and stains on the interior.

I commonly used that warranty/insurance when I was at the dealership with my customers to get entire carpet kits replaced, or to have the roof repainted due to sap effecting the clear coat (and more).

It should be advertised that way and not just as a wax. Normally the price on that can also be negotiated down just like everything else in a car deal. I suspect that the actual cost for the warranty/insurance & coating is probably $300- $400

I bought my GT used and as I was waiting around for the loan guy I had to sit with a "delivery specialist" that tried to sell me paint protection, undercoating, the whole nine yards. Complete with photos of what "industrial fallout" can do to your paint and why it was so important to get it done.

It was a $1500 service but he was going to sell it to me for $700. I let him go through his whole speech and said I can do all of that myself and no thanks.

It really makes me wonder how many people actually spend that money.

I bet a lot of G8 owners wish they had paint protection.

Keep in mind that some of those "enviromental" packages include a warranty on the paint (blemishes from bird droppings or other staining) and stains on the interior.

I commonly used that warranty/insurance when I was at the dealership with my customers to get entire carpet kits replaced, or to have the roof repainted due to sap effecting the clear coat (and more).

It should be advertised that way and not just as a wax. Normally the price on that can also be negotiated down just like everything else in a car deal. I suspect that the actual cost for the warranty/insurance & coating is probably $300- $400

I'm sorry, but the paint should be warrantied regardless of whether or not I purchase a dealer-installed option. The paint condition I've seen on some of these "new" G8's is just wrong (don't believe me? search the board and see for yourself). Once again, this all reflects on how GM takes pride in the quality and craftsmanship of their work. Don't get me wrong, it's made a huge improvement over the past 10 years. But the fact that we as consumers are expected to pay extra if we want the paint covered seems like a scheme. I wouldn't automatically place it on every vehicle. It's an OPTION, and it should be at the discretion of the buyer should they choose it. $1066.44 seems like a scam to me.
I long for the days when the GM dealers will (hopefully) reach to the service level of some of it's competitors. Saturn had something going... they firmly offered all the vehicles at MSRP, so there was no BS with added market values or these dealer-installed options. You were given a quote and when you arrived at the dealership, the price you paid was the price you saw on your original quote. I should know, my mom bought 4 saturns in the past 8 years, then one day they closed the doors. Shame...

I'm sorry, but the paint should be warrantied regardless of whether or not I purchase a dealer-installed option. The paint condition I've seen on some of these "new" G8's is just wrong (don't believe me? search the board and see for yourself). Once again, this all reflects on how GM takes pride in the quality and craftsmanship of their work. Don't get me wrong, it's made a huge improvement over the past 10 years. But the fact that we as consumers are expected to pay extra if we want the paint covered seems like a scheme. I wouldn't automatically place it on every vehicle. It's an OPTION, and it should be at the discretion of the buyer should they choose it. $1066.44 seems like a scam to me.
I long for the days when the GM dealers will (hopefully) reach to the service level of some of it's competitors. Saturn had something going... they firmly offered all the vehicles at MSRP, so there was no BS with added market values or these dealer-installed options. You were given a quote and when you arrived at the dealership, the price you paid was the price you saw on your original quote. I should know, my mom bought 4 saturns in the past 8 years, then one day they closed the doors. Shame...

Some of the paint coatings far surpass the warranty, if any, that a dealership offers for paint, and are easier to claim.

Understand where Mom is coming from. My friend a GM at the local Volkswagen Dealership, formerly known as Adolf's Autos sells a paint sealent system. Cost to the buyer with the warranty, $1800.00. This system claims to prevent tree sap, spray paint, bird droppings, Ultra Violet, small comets and some dosages of radiation from affecting the car's paint job. The sealent is applied in small areas and etches to the paint and bonds with it. It also keeps eggs from sticking to it if you use your hood to fry eggs. Now get this, he can do my car for $300.00 if I don't want the warranty. $1500.00 difference is steep, I can see the company that makes it has a lot of faith in their product.

I bet a lot of G8 owners wish they had paint protection.

1 or 2 chips here but no more then any of my other cars tend to get so I have no problems with my paint.

I love my G8, but I love the new camaro too.
I drove past our local chevy dealer yesterday and saw a black ss out front, so I just stopped to take a peek. The MSRP was ~$37k, but then I looked closely and saw that they had added (you'll love this) an "Environmental Protection Package" for $1066.44. It adds a protective paint coating and interior fabric and leather guard.
What a crock of sh*t. Do these GM dealers honestly expect us to fall for this crap? What's worse, I checkd the pricing when I got home on the internet, and the vehicle on the website didn't even have that option listed. It only showed $37k. That's simply dishonest. So now, some poor sucker is going to research online, drive to this dealer (probably willing to pay MSRP) and find that it is being offered at a higher price than what it was online, and he's going to have to haggle $1066.44 all because they waxed it.
I'm sorry, but I expect a new car to be waxed and properly cared for by the dealer. That's something all dealerships should do for that new car sale (mine did), and to pass that cost on to the customer or to try and run away with it like that is just poor business.

BTW the dealership is Thomas Chevrolet in West Chester PA. Buyer Beware.

"GM dealerships"

Look around at all the other dealers. Every brand has dealers that do the "Protection Packages".

Who cares what said "chump" pays for the car? I hate when people rip on dealerships as a whole and expect to get the whole mob of the usual people picking up their digital pitch forks and torches in arms. So stupid...

Look, it is very simple. Dealerships live in an economy that discloses every single cost. Look around. Any 12 year old can get $500 under invoice on most cars just by sending an email. You try and live in an economy when everyone knows what you bought your products for.

I usually would end this with, "Sorry for going off on a rant, blah blah blah..." , but this time... nah.

BTW, no manufacturer would warranty the paint against what the Protector does. THAT is what you pay for and like Ms. Wicked pointed out I have had customers get leather seats warrantied and whole carpets because their kids destroyed their interior.

I can see the OPs gripe. If I want to buy a paint/carpet warranty and pay $1500 then so be it, but don't tell me I have to buy it. Keep it off the car until someone buys it. He stated the price was one thing on-line and another when he went to go see it. Is that not false advertising? Bait and switch? I also do not have a gripe with my local dealer either, but just like any other profession, one bad apple spoils the bunch. Just like when people say all cops are bad/corrupt just because one out of a thousand is.

Totally agree, keep it off the car untill someone wants it applied. I am sure that these products work to a degree. Normally bought by people who don't know or have time to properly care for a car. Or who have undisciplined rug rats destroying the interior. But to apply it to ALL the cars, forces someone to purchase something they might not need, or want. In fact many times I will tell the dealership, do not wash and wax my new car. Call me when it gets in and just remove the wrapper. Because normally the cleaning crew will add swirls and scratches to the paint. Fine for some but not everyone. And BTW leave the Dealership logo off the car. I don't leave the real estate sign in my front yard from whom I bought the house. And I don't get paid to advertise your dealership.

Nothing stated that a couple of good coats of sealant can't take care of in advance.

I work in a steel mill with my car parked right outside. While I can say industrial fallout is real, I must say it comes off easier than rubber from the track (or behind your local mall). In my opinion these options are bull. We had paint protection on my grand prix and when it started rusting from the rear quarter window they said it was neglect and would not paint the rear door. So apparently it only works if your paint does the 90s ford thing and just fades out. But then it's probably your fault for driving under the sun all day.

99% of the time the Paint Protection Package is not even installed when it has it on an addendum sticker. If the customer does buy it, then they put it on when the car is delivered. Just like most things in society it is negotiable. If ya don't want it, don't buy it.

And BTW leave the Dealership logo off the car. I don't leave the real estate sign in my front yard from whom I bought the house. And I don't get paid to advertise your dealership.
Totally agree. My G8 had the dealer's name in flashy chrome letters affixed to the trunk. One of the first things I did when I brought the car home was remove the decal.

I don't recall signing paperwork agreeing to be a moving advertisement for the dealership...

Some of you are misunderstanding the words "paint protectant". These coating don't warrant paint chips and rust. They only cover items such as acid rain, bird droppings, typical "environmental" fallout issues. Generally these coatings are just added proffit for a dealer. Most everyone on this site cares enough about their car that they clean the car and don't let droppings and other items on the car long enough to harm the finish.

It's a farce.
No one goes back for a claim, and if they do... they deny fixing it.

I beleive the added dealer protection stuff works but it's the super high cost they charge isn't. The majority of folks who buy new cars don't need it.

My favorite is the "market adjusted value" where they slap an extra charge on the car cause its a car that people actualy want to buy rather then the standard crap they shovel at us and expect us to buy.

Exactly. You'd think domestic car dealerships would be happy to just have a product they can sell in this day and age! I would absolutely refuse to pay over list price for any new car... heck, I wouldn't even pay list price. If it's so darn popular, just wait for that popularity to cool down in 6 months or a year and then go get one. I don't know what's with people that can't wait a year to get a car they like. Patience is a virtue!

Besides, if history tells us anything, that first hurried year of production, when the automaker is trying to make as many as possible, will likely have the worst quality.

Remember when people were in huge waiting lines and paying over list for PT Cruisers? Yeah... I'd like to see anyone admit to that now :nuts:

99% of the time the Paint Protection Package is not even installed when it has it on an addendum sticker. If the customer does buy it, then they put it on when the car is delivered. Just like most things in society it is negotiable. If ya don't want it, don't buy it.

Most of the "dealer details" I've seen leave a ton of swirls and create a lot of work for the next person who tries to detail the car correctly. I've specifically asked for my vehicles to be delivered untouched instead of having some 17 year old scrubbing it in the back with a dirty wash mitt. I know some dealers have really good detail people, but they are few and far between.

Yeah, the dealers from where I got my car and my brother got his car were definitely sucky when it came to cleaning them up: they were "in a hurry", so they were terribly sloppy. They apologized, but I really wish they had just let me take the car without wasting the time and making me wash it when I got home anyway! They insisted that they clean it up - their version of good will, I suppose - but it took them, like, 2 hours!

In my brother's case, it looks like someone was using a polishing tool and actually burned through part of the chrome on the grill. We only noticed it after getting the car home.

"GM dealerships"

Look around at all the other dealers. Every brand has dealers that do the "Protection Packages".

Who cares what said "chump" pays for the car? I hate when people rip on dealerships as a whole and expect to get the whole mob of the usual people picking up their digital pitch forks and torches in arms. So stupid...

Look, it is very simple. Dealerships live in an economy that discloses every single cost. Look around. Any 12 year old can get $500 under invoice on most cars just by sending an email. You try and live in an economy when everyone knows what you bought your products for.

I usually would end this with, "Sorry for going off on a rant, blah blah blah..." , but this time... nah.

BTW, no manufacturer would warranty the paint against what the Protector does. THAT is what you pay for and like Ms. Wicked pointed out I have had customers get leather seats warrantied and whole carpets because their kids destroyed their interior.

You totally missed my point.
I understand dealerships are trying to survive in this economy. And I don't have a problem with paying MSRP. When I see an advertised price online and then go to the dealership to find it's been jacked up several thousand dollars with dealer options, explain to me how is that not dishonest? Like the other members said, it should be an option. When I bought my car, I told the dealer I didn't want them to touch it (no washing, nothing). I hate it when these dealerships have a beautiful car, and then they apply their paint protection ($5 can of mothers wax from walmart) only to fill the car with scrathes and swirls. Don't believe me? I've detailed for 10+ years, and you should see some of the cars I've done straight from the dealership. For $1600, it's a ripoff.
And, and to your comment about "trying to live in an economy where everyone nows what you bought your products for" - that's the beauty of the internet my friend. We now have the power to make intelligent purchasing decisions as customers. We've been taking hits from dealerships for the past 30+ years, and now the internet has leveld the playing field. If you don't like it then I suggest perhaps you find another job.

I have walked away from a new car because said dealer did not listen to me. Keep your "dirty Mitts off my car." Call me when it comes in. Take it off the truck and I will be there when you peel the protective covering off the car. Got there and guess what? They were washing and polishing the car. "Your new car is being detailed" My response, "Not my car, must be someone elses car being done." "But this is going to make it much better than new." "Oh really, how"? "Well, now you won't have to worry about the first scratch." Guess what? I didn't because I didn't buy it.

One other thing I forgot to mention:

No sealant on earth will last as long as the dealership claims. Look online at the vendors and see the wax tests. At best, Jetseal, Powerlock, BFWD, and the Klasse twins will give you 6 months (maybe a little more if you garage it) and that's assuming you properly clay and apply multiple coats over several hours.
Again, the dealership detail is a total waste of time and money. Not to mention, they are not doing it properly, just adding swirls and scratches to a new car.

One other thing I forgot to mention:

No sealant on earth will last as long as the dealership claims. Look online at the vendors and see the wax tests. At best, Jetseal, Powerlock, BFWD, and the Klasse twins will give you 6 months (maybe a little more if you garage it) and that's assuming you properly clay and apply multiple coats over several hours.
Again, the dealership detail is a total waste of time and money. Not to mention, they are not doing it properly, just adding swirls and scratches to a new car.

I hear ya! Yeah, that Menz PowerLock is my new go to sealant nowadays. Really good stuff.

I hear ya! Yeah, that Menz PowerLock is my new go to sealant nowadays. Really good stuff.
Indeed! I have 4 coats now, with a few layers of Chemical Guys XXX paste wax (amazing carnauba wax btw, blows P21S away).

briguy- I also detailed for many years, had my own shop that was doing pretty good, I now own a body shop but we only work on boats where I have been for 15 years, so I am about as picky as they come and I have to say the last 5 new cars I have purchased were all delivered in exceptional condition

Mitsubishi-ford-mazda-lexus-infiniti

briguy- I also detailed for many years, had my own shop that was doing pretty good, I now own a body shop but we only work on boats where I have been for 15 years, so I am about as picky as they come and I have to say the last 5 new cars I have purchased were all delivered in exceptional condition

Mitsubishi-ford-mazda-lexus-infiniti

So was my car! My G8 looked great, but partly because I specifically told them not to detail / touch it and to leave it as is.