Unreasonable requirement of a nissan dealer

[versaowner]

Hey, everybody. I ordered a V SL CVT and paid a deposit. The finance manager told me that I need to buy a protection package in order to buy the extended service plan with them. You know what they charge $699 for only TWO protections (any two of paint, rust, undercoat, fabric or hood protection). You know what there are detailing companies that can do all FOUR protections (paint, rust, undercoat and fabric) at only $400.

I checked with other dealer in town. They don't have such a crazy requirement in order to sell you the extended service plan.

Anybody in Edmonton done the protections by outside detailing shops and still can buy the extended service plan? at what cost?

Thanks

[Ever Victorious]

Check your local laws and regulations. Here it is ILLEGAL to make such a requirement.

[diego1212]

yeah here too.

[DocPlez]

If you were in Las Vegas, NV I'd think you must be talking about United Nissan. I have no idea how those rip-off, con artists, decietful SOBs stay in business ... they have a "desert protection package" that is applied to all of their cars upon arrival so you have to pay the $895 fee if you buy from them. The package is a $12 quart of liquid PVC sprayed to the bottom of thier vehicles. And people wonder why I recommend Douglas Nissan sto everyone I know and some people I don't.

Doc

[versaowner]

Thanks. Probably, I will get my car and deal with another dealer for the extended service plan.

[marleyfan]

I doubt that you can buy your car from one dealer and get the extended service plan from another....but maybe. Personally if a dealer made that demand when I was buying I would have walked out the door. I would suggest you do the same.

[Ever Victorious]

[versaowner]

I doubt that you can buy your car from one dealer and get the extended service plan from another....but maybe. Personally if a dealer made that demand when I was buying I would have walked out the door. I would suggest you do the same.

Actually, we didn't decide to buy the extended service plan when we paid the deposit. However, after reading the problems posted in this forum, we decided to buy the extended service plan.

[TweeKeer]

Hey, everybody. I ordered a V SL CVT and paid a deposit. The finance manager told me that I need to buy a protection package in order to buy the extended service plan with them. You know what they charge $699 for only TWO protections (any two of paint, rust, undercoat, fabric or hood protection). You know what there are detailing companies that can do all FOUR protections (paint, rust, undercoat and fabric) at only $400.

I checked with other dealer in town. They don't have such a crazy requirement in order to sell you the extended service plan.

Anybody in Edmonton done the protections by outside detailing shops and still can buy the extended service plan? at what cost?

Thanks

The only thing I have to say is; maybe your local shops that charge you less don't have a gaurantee that goes with their work. I know, here in Halifax, I could get an undercoating done for $125, but it's only good for a year, but if I get it done at Permashine, which our dealership uses, it costs $595, but it's gauranteed for 10 (TEN) years. the same with other services offered. Mind you, the dealership here also doesn't demand you have the protection packages in order to buy an extended warranty...

[versabundus]

Don't Get any of the protection. It's all crap. Get your deposit back, and go elsewhere. As a matter of fact, look at a different car entirely. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have bought a Versa.

[marleyfan]

Well that's one opinion. I've had my Versa since Oct. and I defintely WOULD buy it again. I just wouldn't buy it from a dealer who said you have to have the protection package to buy the extended warrantee. The two have NOTHING do do with each other. I would contact Nissan Canada about this dealer. My dealer actually threw in the undercoat and paint protector.

[versaowner]

Actually, I did call Nissan Canada. They said there is no such requirement in order to buy the ESP and they suggested I talked to the Sales Manager. After I complained with the Sales Manager, the Business Manager told me that he misunderstood what I referring was Rust Warranty. I think it is garbage. I said very clearly about the ESP and I reconfirmed with him twice if it is the requirement for buying the ESP. Now he said that I don't need to buy the protection from them in order to have the ESP. However, he still saying I am going to take the risk to void the warranty by doing the protection by outside detailing shops.

[versaowner]

The only thing I have to say is; maybe your local shops that charge you less don't have a gaurantee that goes with their work. I know, here in Halifax, I could get an undercoating done for $125, but it's only good for a year, but if I get it done at Permashine, which our dealership uses, it costs $595, but it's gauranteed for 10 (TEN) years. the same with other services offered. Mind you, the dealership here also doesn't demand you have the protection packages in order to buy an extended warranty...

There is a well known and professional detailing shop, they can do the four protection at $599 and it is for TEN years warranty also.

[TweeKeer]

There is a well known and professional detailing shop, they can do the four protection at $599 and it is for TEN years warranty also.

I don't usually deal with rust/paint/fabric protection. So the only one I know of here is Krown and there's is only for 1yr. Whereas, done through the dealership it's good for rust=10 paint=5 fabric=10.

So if you have a useful resource for us, you should post it.

[versaowner]

Don't Get any of the protection. It's all crap. Get your deposit back, and go elsewhere. As a matter of fact, look at a different car entirely. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have bought a Versa.

versabundus, thank you for your advise. I test drove Honda Fit, Versa and looked at Yaris. Versa is more suitable for us since we are a family of 5 and our kids are growing bigger and bigger. We need an economical car like Versa. So far, I cannot find one like V that can suit our needs the most. (Any other suggestion with 20K out of the door price for a family of 5?) However, what I am worrying is the relability of V and that's why we want to buy the ESP. If it is convered by ESP, I think we will still try this new Versa. As long as I know this model has been selling in Japan for two years and the response is very good. Moreover, this car is also being manufactured in Taiwan, China too. If those countries have manufacturing facilities, I think the spare parts may not be a problem. Wrost comes to wrost, we can order the parts from those countries.

[versabundus]

Yes. Look at a Chevy Malibu . It has an Excellent reliability rating, Excellent crash rating. It's bigger, heavier, and gets equal or better gas mileage. The 2007 is on the same platform as a Saab 9-3. It has a 100K mile warranty and they will deal. Sometimes we just go for the new and flashy stuff without thinking. I kept reading the hype about the Versa until I had myself believing it was the best thing since sliced bread. It's not bad, and if you live in an inner city with very limited space, it's ideal. Lot of room in a small package. But in the real world, there are much bigger more powerful cars that get the same mileage, so why? There's also the Ford Fusion/MercuryMilan. Same Story. It's sitting on a Mazda 6 platform, but less expensive. I didn't do enough research before I bought. I have now found out that the 2006 Sentra, which is by no means a new design, and was built in a Mexican factory, is one of the LEAST reliable small cars.

Modified by versabundus at 4:08 PM 1/6/2007
Modified by versabundus at 4:11 PM 1/6/2007

[versaowner]

Yes. Look at a Chevy Malibu . It has an Excellent reliability rating, Excellent crash rating. It's bigger, heavier, and gets equal or better gas mileage. The 2007 is on the same platform as a Saab 9-3. It has a 100K mile warranty and they will deal. Sometimes we just go for the new and flashy stuff without thinking. I kept reading the hype about the Versa until I had myself believing it was the best thing since sliced bread. It's not bad, and if you live in an inner city with very limited space, it's ideal. Lot of room in a small package. But in the real world, there are much bigger more powerful cars that get the same mileage, so why? There's also the Ford Fusion/MercuryMilan. Same Story. It's sitting on a Mazda 6 platform, but less expensive. I didn't do enough research before I bought. I have now found out that the 2006 Sentra, which is by no means a new design, and was built in a Mexican factory, is one of the LEAST reliable small cars.

Modified by versabundus at 4:08 PM 1/6/2007

Modified by versabundus at 4:11 PM 1/6/2007

Malibu, Fusion are nice and they are bigger too. However, the price for these cars are higher. For Malibu base model, it is already CAD7,000 difference in MSRP with V. Fusion is around CAD4,000 more expensive. They are also not in the same class of V. Any other suggestions?

[DreamU]

I have now found out that the 2006 Sentra, which is by no means a new design, and was built in a Mexican factory, is one of the LEAST reliable small cars.

I saw that figure too and it made me think twice. However, the Almera has the highest reliability figure I have ever seen - even topping the Civic. On Newcarnet they quote the average reliability as 112 (lower is better). The Civic comes out at 16 and the Almera at 3. (On the other end the Porsche Boxster is 257). Its so low I wonder about the accuracy of the number. But, at face value, Nissan seems to have both ends of the scale covered so it will be hard to predict reliability for the Versa.

[versabundus]

Sure, how about the PT cruiser. Look up the specs on it. You can probably get one cheaper than a V. I know they are a little dated, but still a great design with all the bugs worked out.

DreamU: The almera was never offered in the US, and not built in Mexico. (unless you count the Pulsar, which didn't fare well.

Versaowner: I just reread your previous posts. Family of FIVE? You don't want any of the cars listed. Start thinking MiniVan! If you don't put on a lot of miles, look into a lease so you can better afford it.
Modified by versabundus at 6:45 AM 1/7/2007

[motoguy128]

Back to the topic....

The factory applied undercoating is ALL the you need to protect the car through even northern winters for 10 years and will be covered under eth warranty. It's just a scam. It's an extra 10+ lbs of tar that's just going to collect dirt and potentially trap water inside the frame if it's improperly appleid and the weep holes in the frame will be plugged, causing faster corrosion.

Don't listen to everyone else. I've been looking at minivans and midsized corssover SUV's for a few weeks now (just window shopping). Most only match the rear legroom of the Versa. It's only handicap is limited trunk space (compared to a larger car) but the interior is quite large and practical. I also test drove other cars and none offered as much flexibility for the price.

[versaowner]

Back to the topic....

The factory applied undercoating is ALL the you need to protect the car through even northern winters for 10 years and will be covered under eth warranty. It's just a scam. It's an extra 10+ lbs of tar that's just going to collect dirt and potentially trap water inside the frame if it's improperly appleid and the weep holes in the frame will be plugged, causing faster corrosion.

Don't listen to everyone else. I've been looking at minivans and midsized corssover SUV's for a few weeks now (just window shopping). Most only match the rear legroom of the Versa. It's only handicap is limited trunk space (compared to a larger car) but the interior is quite large and practical. I also test drove other cars and none offered as much flexibility for the price.

Is there factory applied undercoating for every V? How can we know that?

[motoguy128]

I'll take that back. I checked, there isn't actually an undercoating. But I will tell you that I had a '91 Toyota Tercel that never rusted anywhere underneith after 11 Michigan winters and it did not have any undercoating applied. The factory primers and frame paint process is much better than it was in the 1980, 70's and 60's.

In my opinion, the need for undercoating is the same as the notion that you car needs 3000 mile oil changes... instead of the newer recomendations for 3750, 4000, 5000, 6000 or even 7500 miles. It's based on "old' thinking.

Worst case... the extended warranty and service plan you purchase might not cover frame rust. I don't think it would anyway. The only way yu'll see rist is if you scrpe the frame over a curb or had an accident... and in that case, would void any and all frame warranty.

[versabundus]

Back to the topic....

The factory applied undercoating is ALL the you need to protect the car through even northern winters for 10 years and will be covered under eth warranty. It's just a scam. It's an extra 10+ lbs of tar that's just going to collect dirt and potentially trap water inside the frame if it's improperly appleid and the weep holes in the frame will be plugged, causing faster corrosion.

Don't listen to everyone else. I've been looking at minivans and midsized corssover SUV's for a few weeks now (just window shopping). Most only match the rear legroom of the Versa. It's only handicap is limited trunk space (compared to a larger car) but the interior is quite large and practical. I also test drove other cars and none offered as much flexibility for the price.

That's all well and good, but I'm not contending the fact that the Versa is roomy. I'm simply saying that a larger, heavier car would be better for a family of 5 cruising at Hwy. speeds. I've had 4 in the V and at 65 mph it's not a confident feeling. I originally bought the V for a short work commute by my wife. Since then her aged parents have moved in with us, and It's the only 4 door we have. I'm not impressed.

[kc5f]

I've had 4 in the V and at 65 mph it's not a confident feeling.

We just made a 500-mile trip with 4 adults at 70-75mph for most, and felt "confident" all the way. In fact, we left the Honda Odyssey at home because the V was roomier in the back seats than the minivan. Plenty of room for our luggage, too, for the short trip.

I agree, though, that 5 would be pushing it unless the kids are all pretty small.

[marleyfan]

That's all well and good, but I'm not contending the fact that the Versa is roomy. I'm simply saying that a larger, heavier car would be better for a family of 5 cruising at Hwy. speeds. I've had 4 in the V and at 65 mph it's not a confident feeling. I originally bought the V for a short work commute by my wife. Since then her aged parents have moved in with us, and It's the only 4 door we have. I'm not impressed.

I'm not quite sure what you expect from an entry level sub compact. I've had 4 in mine on the highway and have no complaints. Was it as solid at highway speeds as the Safari van I used to drive? Of course not. Its a small entry level hatchback. You're right, a larger heavier car would be better for a family of 5. The V was never designed for a family of 5.

As for the undercoating. The undercoating I had applied was not for rust protection but to reduce road noise. And it is very effective at doing that. Had a ride in my friend's Yaris a few days ago. At highway speeds we practically had to yell at each other.

[versaowner]

Sure, how about the PT cruiser. Look up the specs on it. You can probably get one cheaper than a V. I know they are a little dated, but still a great design with all the bugs worked out.

DreamU: The almera was never offered in the US, and not built in Mexico. (unless you count the Pulsar, which didn't fare well.

Versaowner: I just reread your previous posts. Family of FIVE? You don't want any of the cars listed. Start thinking MiniVan! If you don't put on a lot of miles, look into a lease so you can better afford it.

Modified by versabundus at 6:45 AM 1/7/2007

We do have a minivan Ford Windstar and the V is for me to commute to work and short city/out-town trip with my family. Our eldest one is teenager and I think we still can manage to seat all of them in the back seats.

[versaowner]

I'm not quite sure what you expect from an entry level sub compact. I've had 4 in mine on the highway and have no complaints. Was it as solid at highway speeds as the Safari van I used to drive? Of course not. Its a small entry level hatchback. You're right, a larger heavier car would be better for a family of 5. The V was never designed for a family of 5.

As for the undercoating. The undercoating I had applied was not for rust protection but to reduce road noise. And it is very effective at doing that. Had a ride in my friend's Yaris a few days ago. At highway speeds we practically had to yell at each other.

Is that undercoating done by the dealer? at what price?

[marleyfan]

Is that undercoating done by the dealer? at what price?

Yes it was done by the dealer. It wasnt the rustproofing it was the soundproofing. I think they wanted something like $300 for it but I cant remember. I managed to get them to throw it in along with the paint protectant. I led them to believe that I was going to purchace the extended warrantee, then changed my mind at the last second after they had agreed to throw in the protectant and soundproofing.

[proxim2020]

The dealer where I purchased the car from sprayed my car for free. From what I'm told, they spray all their cars no matter if the warranty is purchased or not. I think they do this to stay #1 in Houston. They charged $850 for the warranty, which I didn't purchase. Apparently people come in and pay the money without even questioning it. In their case, it's one of those things where if you ask about it then you find out that it's only the warranty and you get the product for free.

[versaowner]

Finally, I got my V today. I decided to defer the purchase of Added Security Plan (Extended Warranty) and just took the car. It is snowing very heavily in Edmonton and the V runs very smoothly in the thick snow. It is even better than the Lancer ES that the dealer rented for me during my wait for the V.

It is a quiet and smooth ride. Pretty good!