What is this line item frrom a dealer? It looks to be something dealer "installed". Does it just mean the car was waxed? Paint Protection Film ...................... 395.00 Here is the rest of it 18186 VEHICLE INQUIRY REPORT DATE: 12/12/08 DCV920 TIME: 15:26 Model Number: 1226A SERIAL # :97869709 Check Code: 6 Model Description: 4-DR GAS/ELEC Category ..........: F Year ............: 2009 Current Dealer ....: 130-46050 Interior Color ..: LD11 LD11 Wholesale Dealer ..: 46050 Exterior Color ..: 0202 BLACK Previous Dealer ...: 00131 Body ............: HYBRID GAS/ELEC SDN Invoice Date ......: Number of Cyl ...: 4 Ship Date .........: Allocation Number: 121 Retail Date .......: Engine Number ...: U402342 Date of First Use .: Vessel Number ...: 317 TRAC ..............: NO Vessel Name .....: CENTURY HIGHWAY NO.3 Damage ............: NO DAMAGE PDI ...............: NO Fleet .............: NON-FLEET Port PDS Complete .: NO VIN .............: JTDKB20U897869709 Ignition Key.....: 59485 Factory Installed Accessories: FE NR TV Port Installed Accessories ..: 3P EF CF MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE Hybrid Synergy Drive System 1.5L 4Cyl DOHC 16 Valve w/VVT-i Engine Elctrnic Cntinusly Variable Trans (ECVT) Electronic Power Steering System Tuned Front and Rear Suspension 16" Alloy Wheels w/Full Wheel Covers P195/55R16 Tires Front Disc and Rear Drum Brakes SAFETY Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Front Airbag (SRS) Dr & Fr Pass Side & Curtain Airbags Traction Control (TRAC) ABS w/Elec Brake Force Dist & Brk Assist 3 Point Seatbelts w/ALR/ELR Pass Belts Side-Impact Door Beams Rr-Seat Child Restraint Sys (CRS) Lower Anchors and Top Tether Brackets (LATCH) Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System EXTERIOR HID Headlamps & Integrated Fog Lamps Dual Clr-Keyd Pwr Heated Outside Mirrors Chrome-Type Finish on Front Grille Large Rear Spoiler COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE Auto Climate Control w/Air Filtration AM/FM CD with 6 Speakers Push Button Start Remote Keyless Entry, Engine Immobilizer Cruise Control Liquid-Crystal Multi-Info Display Panel w/Energy Monitor, Fuel Consumption, Climate Control, O/S Temp & Audio Status Tilt Steer Wheel w/Climate & Audio Cntrl 60/40 Split Fold-Flat Rear Seat Variable Frnt & Intermittent Rr Wipers Heavy-Duty Rr Window Defogger w/Timer Pwr Door Locks & Wndws w/Dr Auto Up/Down Cntr Console & Dual-Compartmnt Glove Box 2 Auxiliary 12V Power Outlets Cargo Tonneau Cover & Undr-Floor Storage Overhead Console with Map Lights Fabric Cloth Seats 50 State Emissions ......................... Package #6 Touring Edition: Includes ....... 4175.00 Leather Trimmed Seats and Steering Wheel; .. Voice-Activated DVD GPS Navigation ........ System; JBL AM/FM 6-Disc CD Changer with ... 9 Speakers, Aux Audio Input Miniplug, ...... MP3/WMA Playback Capability, Satellite ..... Radio Capability, and Hands-Free Phone ..... Capability via Bluetooth; Vehicle .......... Stability Control;Backup Camera; Smart ..... Key System; Anti-Theft System; ............. Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink . Touring Package ............................ Paint Protection Film ...................... 395.00 Rear Bumper Applique ....................... 69.00 Carpet Floor Mats & Cargo Mat .............. 199.00 --------- --------- Total .......................................: $ 29828.00
Some Prius's have a clear film applied to the hood, front bumper, and (I think) headlights. I bet this charge is probably for that. I saw the film on a used Prius I looked at last summer, and the edges were starting to peel and get dirt under them, and it didn't look so great, so I would avoid it. Not worth it in my opinion, unless you get lots of rock chips where you live.
If they use good quality 24" (or 18") 3M film and put in on the hood, front bumper, etc, then that's a good price. I've had it on a number of cars and it works great. I feel that it pays off because I keep my cars a long time and I'm particular about keeping them looking good. And in Colorado, they put tons of sand and gravel on the roads every winter. I've never had any film peel at the edges. I have picked up some dirt on a few of the edges here and there. Every year or two I just have a tiny (1/16" to 1/32" wide) edge strip removed with a razor knife. We're only talking about two or three strips an inch or two in length. (I'd do it myself but it's a free service and he has the right touch to cut the film without damaging the paint.) My film installer says that rubbing alcohol will take the edge dirt away, too, but I haven't tried it.
If that is indeed the case, I agree. If I could have found an installer to do it for that price, I probably would have had it done. The lowest prices I found when I looked into it were well over $500. Which makes me wonder whether that's really what it is. Dealers aren't known for low-balling add-ons to new cars. I would check it closely and verify that's what it's for.
For that price, it is definitely NOT the 3M product. Too bad, it is already on and anyone who buys this car will have to accept it. The dealers keep adding "junk" to make some extra money on the deal.
It could be the 3M film, just not the full coverage package at that price. The full coverage package gives you the side view mirrors, the hood for at least 10" up, as well as the bumper cover and headlamps. They put a slightly different vinyl on the headlamps. It's thicker and clearer, but more expensive. It's also possible the dealer is getting a bulk buy price if he's getting all his vehicles covered. In which case it's just fine. But check to be sure. Don't accept some mealy mouthed reply from the dealer. If they are evasive, have them delete it from the order. Only accept it if they will give you a complete description of it. The 3M film (vinyl) has a lower shine than the paint. It does protect the paint from all but the larger rocks. I've had it on three vehicles now, and even after 10 years it was fine. You have to be careful cleaning up wax around the edges of it and where it's joined if applied in separate pieces. One vehicle I had with it on got hit by a large rock (about 1") with sharp edges. It hit on the hood, and cut the film. The paint suffered no damage. Pearl doesn't wear the 3M stuff, because Ming wanted $500 to do a full install. I made an appointment, but when I showed up first thing in the morning they wanted me to leave the vehicle and get it at the end of the day. So I passed. It's debatable whether it's worth that much. The bumper cover takes most of the abuse, and it's about $400 to get repainted. I DO have a dent in the aluminum hood from a rock, but the vinyl wouldn't have stopped that. At least it won't rust.
I just had this done at my local Toyota dealership on my 2009 last Thursday (10 December 2008). The "autobond" as they have called it on their bill cost $695 ($743.65 after taxes and nonsense). It covers the front bumper, most of the hood, about half way along the sides and the mirror housings. Truthfully I don't know if it is the 3M clear bra or Ventureshield as the dealership only stated that it is a recent upgrade of the 3M. The cost was higher than I had hoped but after seeing so many chips on my 2003 Prius, I'm hopeful that this will make a difference. Furthermore the dealership has already said that the price is jumping to $795 in January 2009.
Sounds almost the same price as: Vehicle Shield Package -Lusterizing Sealant -Sound Shield -Sealant Cleaner -Rental Car Assistance $349.00 (from toyota's build your car page)
