I just purchased a new 2005 Red Element on Saturday. I am in love with the car, and once I get over having to get rid of my old car I am pretty sure I will be ecstatic. I do have a few questions though, and please excuse me if they are simple. I want to take the very best care of my new car, and am not very knowledgable in this field. :)

One of my concerns about the car was the amount of plastic on it. I was assured that with proper care the plastic was actually much more useful and sturdy than metal would have been. Here is the question, WHAT is the proper care of it? Armor all?

Also, I have always wondered about the safety of mechanical car washes for car finishes. We have a Mike's car wash nearby that does a great job, but am I going to damage my brand new, super red E by taking it through there?

Thank you for your help! I am so excited to have found this forum. :)

Elizabeth

Elizabeth,

Welcome to the EOC and congratulations on your purchase. Spend some time reading this site, and you will find your issues of concern have been extensively discussed.

"E"gads, she used the double A words :shock:

Welcome "E"lizabeth. I agree with Ramblerdan. Take a few hours and a nice drink and have some fun reading in a number of these threads and TONS of options shall be at your disposal.

one of the best (some may say "obsessive") websites on maintaining the appearance of a car is www.autopia.org

Thanks! I had been reading through the threads already, but had been unable to find much that made sense, but I am getting a feel for it now. By the spring I will be getting ready to wash, clay, wash and seal with the best of them. :)

Now, I just have to find more information on the PLASTIC bits... :)

Elizabeth

O.K. "E", go to the top bar and do a search for: caring for the composite panels.
Welcome to those with discriminating taste. Gee! I'v got to get some work done, bye!:cool:

Thanks Mix! That got me directly to where I wanted to go. Much thanks!

Elizabeth :)

Welcome! :) You'll find tons of info here to make your E even more enjoyable. In the meantime,

... Just Say "No" to Armor All and Drive-thru car washes...

Just don't want you making any irreversible mistakes before you have had time to do the homework on car care. :wink:

And you don't need to worry about the plastic for a good long while.

The paint is another story. You need something on there to protect from bird doo and you sure don't want to scratch the clearcoat by improper car washing or the wrong products.

I love that red. A well-maintained red car is a sight to behold.

I have always worried about the car washes, even the touchless ones. Unfortunately I live in Indiana, so while not as bad a climate as my native New York or WI, still a bit too cold to hand wash in the winter... Still reading up on all the appropriate threads, it would appear that the self hosing type places are the best bets in the winter. BRRRRrrrrr, the things I am willing to consider for my new E. :)

Thanks for the direct answer too! The green color probably would have been my first choice, but man am I loving my Bright Red E! :)

Elizabeth

Congratulations. Did you find that dealers were offering the 2005 models at lower prices now in November, with the 2006 models arriving on the lots? If so what could I save by buying a 2005 now?

Eilizabeth, personally I dont think there is anything wrong with taking it to a BRUSHLESS carwash occassionally over the winter months. But thats just me.

Just make sure to take proerp care in the warmer months and it should be fine for a spritz through a brushless wash here and there in the winter.

I agree, the occasional touchless car wash in the winter is better than having your car covered with crud all winter.

My problem is that none of the car washes in this area will let me in with a ski box on top! :mad: