[nico1et]

I'm buying a 2010 Honda Element (EX 4WD) from the local dealer, but they're getting the color I want from another location.

The ones on their lot were colors I didn't want, but had these options installed, which I think are kinda over-priced (especially for someone who's low income, & this purchase is a cash one-time possibility):

splash guards - $134.00
wheel locks - $74.00
all season mats - $159.00

They said if the vehicle they're getting doesn't have those on, they'll let me know before adding any.

I got a good deal on the vehicle, but I have to be super careful with my money now since my income is very limited.

1) Wouldn't I be able to find great all season mats for WAY less than that amount?

2) Are the wheel locks really necessary?

3) Are the splash guards necessary?

Guess I won't have any choice if they're already on, but thought I'd ask around to see what others feel are really necessary dealer-installed options or what good alternatives might be.

Thanks for any comments!

 

[lizzurd]

I'm buying a 2010 Honda Element (EX 4WD) from the local dealer, but they're getting the color I want from another location.

The ones on their lot were colors I didn't want, but had these options installed, which I think are ridiculously priced (especially for someone who's low income, & this purchase is a cash one-time possibility):

splash guards - $134.00
wheel locks - $74.00
all season mats - $159.00

They said if the vehicle they're getting doesn't have those on, they'll let me know before adding any.

I got a good deal on the vehicle, but now I see how they're making extra money.

I feel I can get great all season mats for WAY less than that amount!

Are the wheel locks really necessary?

Are the splash guards necessary?

Guess I won't have any choice if they're already on, but every dollar is important to me, especially after this purchase.

Thanks for any comments!

All three of these items can be removed in 15 minutes or less. Tell them if they want the sale to remove them.

 

[scorsone]

You can get all of those things much cheaper after the fact if you want any. The wheel locks are only necessary if you live in a wheel theft prone area. The splash guards end up on every car and the dealers try and stick buyer with the over inflated prices. All season floor mats??? Tell them that is why you are looking at the E in the first place!!! They can take those right out and use them on the next fool.

Refuse to pay for the extra's they tack on at the dealership if it is not something you want. We have some great resources here for OEM stuff at great prices so if you can wait to get the extras after you buy the E.

The splash guards are pretty useful but don't let them charge you that price for them. Check out HandA.com for their pricing if you need to have some ammo.

 

[ramblerdan]

The items you listed can be ordered online for less and installed by the average consumer. As Lizzurd noted, tell the dealer you don't want to pay for those accessories, and they'll be gone.

It's especially amusing to see what dealers charge for floor mat installation, a five-minute job.

 

[nico1et]

Ok - I figured as much - but already signed paperwork?

I signed the yellow paper that allowed them to do the dealer trade from another area..

I've sent them an email saying I don't want any dealer-installed options, but not sure if that'll really work out in my favor due to the signing on Thursday?

(p.s. At that time, they didn't know what would be on the one that would be coming in, but acted like I had no choice if they were already on....??)

UPDATE: I was just told that as far as she knows, there are no added accessories on the vehicle they located for me. yea!

As long as I'm at it, I've read some stuff about the grilles. Do I actually need to have some of that grillework installed? (like from the grilleguy) I will be taking this in the woods - well, along forest roads which are gravel/dirt - but am not going to be following a bunch of people who are spitting stuff up. But having read something about the grilles in the past, I'm just a little worried. Can anyone help me out with that info? (I couldn't install these myself - I don't even have any tools to drill a hole if something like that's necessary.)

 

[cmpbx]

The dealer I bought my E from also tried to play the floor mat trick. Best part of the negotiation was watching him struggle to drag them from one end of the showroom to the other. :razz:

Do a search for Home Depot Grill Guard. You can buy a plastic or metal gutter guard from Home Depot and install it, without any tools, using zip ties. Fill in your location and maybe you can get a mini-meet with someone in your area to do the install if you need some moral support.

Personally I don't have a grill guard, and have traveled many a dirt road.

 

[AKRunner]

I Can't speak for your State but in Alaska a dealer can not make you purchase any item they added to the vehicle, if it is not on the Factory sticker you do not have to pay for it. Pick the items you want and offer them the chance to sell them to you uninstalled for the best price that you can find online. That is fair to you and them, if they do not go for it then politely decline to purchase those items and buy them elsewhere.

I would recommend splash guards in your climate, they won't stop everything but will cut down on the spray quite a bit. The all-season mats are useful too, even with the Elements rubber floor they will help and make clean up easier. If wheel theft is a problem in your area then wheel locks are cheap insurance but I do never hear of it happening to Elements here, Civics, Integras, etc, yes but not Elements.

I'm buying a 2010 Honda Element (EX 4WD) from the local dealer, but they're getting the color I want from another location.

The ones on their lot were colors I didn't want, but had these options installed, which I think are kinda over-priced (especially for someone who's low income, & this purchase is a cash one-time possibility):

splash guards - $134.00
wheel locks - $74.00
all season mats - $159.00

They said if the vehicle they're getting doesn't have those on, they'll let me know before adding any.

I got a good deal on the vehicle, but I have to be super careful with my money now since my income is very limited.

1) Wouldn't I be able to find great all season mats for WAY less than that amount?

2) Are the wheel locks really necessary?

3) Are the splash guards necessary?

Guess I won't have any choice if they're already on, but thought I'd ask around to see what others feel are really necessary dealer-installed options or what good alternatives might be.

Thanks for any comments!

 

[Flat Lander]

The previous posters have covered your questions in good detail. The only thing I would add is if you do a search on the interior threads for "Goodyear" floormats or "Autozone" it will bring up a part number for some really good floormats that most Autozone stores stock in a few colors. I think I paid like $25. They say that they are custom fit, but they fit perfect with no trimming required.

 

[FastEddieB]

I echo the sentiments already posted.

Esp. regarding floor mats.

I just don't see what they would accomplish. Floor mats are normally to protect carpet from wear - what we have as flooring is kinda like permanent floormats already.

In 100,000 miles (posting on that landmark soon!) and 5 years and I don't see any objectionable wear to the flooring on either side

 

[nico1et]

splash guards - question! (important)

This I need to know pretty quick since I might get a call about the vehicle tomorrow.

I was told that the splash guards ARE on, & the salesman recommended leaving them since a hole is made to attach them. Does anyone know about that?

"Pick the items you want and offer them the chance to sell them to you uninstalled for the best price that you can find online. That is fair to you and them, if they do not go for it then politely decline to purchase those items and buy them elsewhere."

I almost agree with that one, but hate dealing with this sort of thing. Should I do that? These are so expensive, at I think $134. I'm not mechanically inclined, so I wouldn't likely be putting some on myself....

I'm confused!

 

[lizzurd]

This I need to know pretty quick since I might get a call about the vehicle tomorrow.

I was told that the splash guards ARE on, & the salesman recommended leaving them since a hole is made to attach them. Does anyone know about that?

"Pick the items you want and offer them the chance to sell them to you uninstalled for the best price that you can find online. That is fair to you and them, if they do not go for it then politely decline to purchase those items and buy them elsewhere."

I almost agree with that one, but hate dealing with this sort of thing. Should I do that? These are so expensive, at I think $134. I'm not mechanically inclined, so I wouldn't likely be putting some on myself....

I'm confused!

There are very small holes that are drilled in the the inner part of the bumper to install the mudguards. Politely tell them you will live with it and it will be that much easier to install your own mudguards if you. If you choose not to the holes are small enough that you won't really notice them.

 

[spdrcr5]

This I need to know pretty quick since I might get a call about the vehicle tomorrow.

I was told that the splash guards ARE on, & the salesman recommended leaving them since a hole is made to attach them. Does anyone know about that?

This is very simple. Talk with the salesman and thank him for the mudguard gift that the dealership has given you. Let him know you appreciate it. If he says they will cost you $xx.xx then explain that he can remove them since you never asked for them, but if he wants to leave them on as a gift to you then you would enjoy using them.

Accessories is where dealers/salespeople make their money. They charge for the item and labor to install.

When I got my Element I had them remove a few things and the mud guards and wheel locks they threw in for free when I refused to pay for them since they would have required a mechanics involvement and cost them money for that.

 

[woosterpuss]

i would tell them that you will only pay for the cost of the splash guards, and not for installation, since they did not install them themselves.
according to H and A, they retail for $101.

 

[woosterpuss]

nevermind. larry's right :roll:

 

[nico1et]

well, we'll see if they're still on or not!

i did what was suggested, except i didn't offer to pay for them.. just said that i hadn't asked for them, & that they could be removed unless they wanted to give to me as a gift (which i'd of course appreciate).

the woman who called about making the pick-up appt. confirmed that the "dealer add-ons" were taken off the bill, but didn't say whether the splash guards had been physically taken off or not (& i didn't ask - probably cuz i didn't want to know!).

i also picked up a pair of black goodyear floormats ($30/autozone - guess someone got them on sale cuz they weren't $20 here) that should fit in very well.

hopefully i don't have to go looking for splash guards (but guess i shouldn't notice the holes much if not....).

++++++

as far as keys go, is everyone here pretty happy w/2 keys? for my taurus, it was a real pain cuz you had to have 2 working keys to be able to program a 3rd, or else it became very expensive if 1 was lost. (you could buy the keys & remotes on ebay, & then program them yourself if you had 2) the salesman mentioned something about buying an extra cut key that wouldn't start the vehicle, but would at least open the door (but do i have to buy that extra key from the dealership?).

i'm sure i'll think of more questions, but i sure appreciate your answers so far! what a big help!

 

[dcarvil]

as far as keys go, is everyone here pretty happy w/2 keys? for my taurus, it was a real pain cuz you had to have 2 working keys to be able to program a 3rd, or else it became very expensive if 1 was lost. (you could buy the keys & remotes on ebay, & then program them yourself if you had 2) the salesman mentioned something about buying an extra cut key that wouldn't start the vehicle, but would at least open the door (but do i have to buy that extra key from the dealership?).

i'm sure i'll think of more questions, but i sure appreciate your answers so far! what a big help!

No, you don't have to buy that extra key from the dealership. A full service locksmith (not the local hardware store) can cut a key that will open the door, but not start the car. My locksmith charged $28.

I think you misunderstood about programming a 3rd key. When programming the remotes, you just have to program all of them at once because programming wipes the memory. It doesn't matter if you are programming 1, 2, or 3 keys, you just have to do them all at the same time.

You should be getting 3 keys and 2 remotes with the vehicle. The 3rd key is a valet key, and will not open the rear hatch or the glove box. This is standard equipment, so don't let them charge you for them.

 

[nico1et]

keys

no.. for taurus & programming keys it was that you had to have 2 working keys to program another (couldn't do it just with 1 key). did i say remotes? sorry.. (i did a lot of checking & re-checking back in the days when i was trying to get another key - always wanted to be safe & have extras).

the salesman was talking about that other key (buying 1 i thought he said), so i'll be sure to check that if that's the way it is!

so for sure it's standard that it's 3 keys...2 remotes...

 

[lizzurd]

no.. for taurus & programming keys it was that you had to have 2 working keys to program another (couldn't do it just with 1 key). did i say remotes? sorry..

the salesman was talking about that other key (buying 1 i thought he said), so i'll be sure to check that if that's the way it is!

so for sure it's standard that it's 3 keys...2 remotes...

Yes three keys and two remotes come from the factory. He may have been thrying to explain the process for making extra keys if you needed or wanted them.

 

[nico1et]

headrests + seatbelts

it's obvious i'm new here, isn't it? question after question after question.

i noticed when doing my test drive that the headrests were kind of uncomfortable &, honestly, a pain! like they were sorta forcing my head forward in an awkward kinda way. (maybe it's cuz i'm 5'1") the salesman told me earlier that honda doesn't recommend it, but some of his customers actually turn them around. so it's obvious that i'm not the only one finding them to be strangely angled or whatever.

also, even tho the seatbelts are no longer connected to the doors (which is great), it comes down across my shoulder in a way that's irritating (but then again, seatbelts bug me in general since i get that claustrophobic feeling). again, it may have to do with my height (or lack of it). i'd bought some of those european seatbelt clips which make it so the shoulder strap goes up at a different angle - hopefully those will work ok in the Element.


++++

i have the extra computer key & remote for my taurus - should i just sell those on ebay since they can be reprogrammed? (i don't know if the dealer will care that much about extras - it's just that they cost me, so not really thrilled about just giving them)

 

[lizzurd]

it's obvious i'm new here, isn't it? question after question after question.

i noticed when doing my test drive that the headrests were kind of uncomfortable &, honestly, a pain! like they were sorta forcing my head forward in an awkward kinda way. (maybe it's cuz i'm 5'1") the salesman told me earlier that honda doesn't recommend it, but some of his customers actually turn them around. so it's obvious that i'm not the only one finding them to be strangely angled or whatever.

also, even tho the seatbelts are no longer connected to the doors (which is great), they come down across my shoulder in a way that's irritating (but then again, seatbelts bug me in general since i get that claustrophobic feeling). again, it may have to do with my height (or lack of it?!). i'd bought some of those european seatbelt clips which make it so they go up at a different angle, so hopefully those will work ok in the Element.


++++

i have the extra computer key & remote for my taurus - should i just sell those on ebay since they can be reprogrammed? (i don't know if the dealer will care that much about extras - it's just that they cost me, so not really thrilled about just giving them)

The key for the Taurus will be useless to someone else...Unless they happen to have the identical locks as you do. The remote you may be able to get a few dollars for.