What is your opinion on the protective outer coating and undercar protection the dealer mentioned to me. I declined it at purchase b/c it seems like the car should do fine here in the NW. Mostly rain and no salt on the roads in winter from snow. How much does it normally cost and is it worth it? Thanks!

 

The paint protection is worth the same as a coat of polymer wax, because that's pretty much (or exactly) what it is. Undercoating has a negative worth, in most instances. Besides messing up the underside of the car, the car is already adquately protected, and guaranteed, against rust. Both of these items are "dealer profit centers."

 

I could not agree more - Undercoating is no longer needed, and in fact, unless it is done right off the assembly line, it is likely going to do more harm than good, since it will seal in any corrosives (weak acids) or water that the car has picked up driving it.

 

 

Got it. Thanks for the reply. How about mudguards against chips and road debris?

 

can anybody here suggest things i might do to reduce the amount of cabin noise i hear in my 1999 tl when cruising on the freeway.

my previous car was a gs300 which was very quiet even on the highway, and i guess i was hoping my tl could be made more quiet for me and the passengers (i use car for business quite a bit).

thanks
bryan

 

i got mudgaurds on mine, but some people think it kills the looks. so it is a personal choice. if you are concerned about exterior protection, you might want to consider installing a clear bra. I'm seriously considering getting one installed on mine, given that the highways I commute on are undergoing construction.

THanx

 

well, one would need to properly clean the underside before installing a undercoat (water wash, neutralizers, etc.) for harsh salty winters like we have here in the NE, the undercoating i used on my 4runner has been nothing but protection and has not peeled since 1996 when i put it on. the stuff i used comes in a large spray can from JC Whitney http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...1/p-41/c-10101

this spray stuff is great. a messy alternative is to use Herculiner, i used Herc on my 02' tacoma under my plastic bedliner and i also brushed it on most of the frame, backside of rear bumber, etc.

2004 vehicles may have enough protection as-is, but if done right an additional undercoat will help.

my

 

dynamat inside the doors.

 

If you can stand the look, front ones might make a bit of difference. But the 3G TL's wheelwells almost entirely enclose the tires, unlike the 2G. I mixed some flex additive into the paint for my 2002 Type-S, and shot them so they looked less clunky. But when i removed them after a year or so, I found that they had abraded the paint somewhat, and it took sveral hours of machine polishing with 3 levels of polish to get them right again.