Is it really possible to keep a new car scratch-free, dent-free, etc. for a long time if you drive it on a regular basis? I’ve had my new 2007 Acura TL w/ Navigation System for about a month now and I have a little scratch on one of my aluminum scuff plates and another little scratch on the edge of one of my doors (both scratches are very minor and can’t be seen at certain angles). It’s annoying, but oh well, stuff happens.

 

nope...and chances are if you wash your car like most of us on here you will notice something new everytime no matter how small

 

Daily driver for almost three years...

Exterior - dent and scratch free; a few rock chips.

Interior - dinged aluminum trim (from seat belt) and scratched trim (from removing the rear seats).

 

the rock chips will get you everytime...........I have a new one - that makes 3

 

I'd rather get a rock chip early than worry about it for months.... you will get one eventually so why worry about it?

 

I guess it depends on your definition of "a long time". I have had my 04 for 2 1/2 years and 27000 miles and have no dings or scratches on it yet. The car is a daily driver, but I always wash it myself and park far away from other cars especially 2-door cars and beaters. I don't "tailgate" either which saves me from rock chips.

 

Not in Atlanta. Or any major city for that matter.

 

I should just accept the minor aluminum scuff plate scratch, but is there any way to get out minor scratches from the aluminum scuff plates?

 

My wife all ready shaved lower part of the bumper on the right side. Brand new, just 100 miles! I told her many times, "this is MY car, please do not drive. You have your minivan......"

 

I don't know the answer to your question, but I managed to ruin my perfect exterior only a few months after getting the car with a few backing-up mishaps... I'm almost to the point where I hope something bad enough happens to justify paying the ~600 to get it repainted. All I can ever see when I walk up to the car from behind are the fugly scratches on the driver's side.

 

nearly impossible.

 

Not in the Chicagoland area either.... especially once they start salting the roads in winter.

 

not possible unless you just park your car in the garage and no one else can get in but you. Good luck.

 

I just noticed that there are small scratches inside the area with the keyhole in the driver’s door handle. There's just too much stress/worrying involved with new cars.

 

Being blind and not washing the car helps.

 

I do a lot of driving for business, and I actually look forward to the first ding. Because then I can relax. Until then, I'm paranoid and tense with the car. First stone chip, and I breathe a sigh of relief, and get on with my driving.

Keep it clean, wax it, maintain it properly, but touch up dings? Why bother? They happen.

 

Why don't you buy the shaved handles for it. I saw little scratches inside the key hole when I took delivery of the '07 at the dealership. I took off the one I had on my '06 and put them right on. I think I payed $12 for them.

 

Rock chips are hard to avoid unless you bra it right away. I've got over 50k on mine and there are no scratches and the two dents have been pulled. I loaned the car to my ex when one of the dents happened, and my mom when the second one happened. Otherwise, knock on wood, looks as good as the day I bought it.

 

My wife didn't want the back up sensors on our 3G TL, said it was a waste... A few months later, she backed into a pole.... We now have a backup-camera.... (Though I haven't installed it yet, it's still sitting on my desk....)

Our 2G TL was dent/scratch free.... But then a rock took out the radiator.....

My G35 was dent/scratch free.... Until the dealer washed it, when I told them 3 times to not wash it... Now it has scratches on every g'dm panel.... Luckily they are buffing out, but it will take some time for me to get rid of em' all, and with the recent snow storm I haven't found the time/energy to do it yet....

From now on, when I take my cars in for warranty repairs, I'm taping a huge sign on the steering wheel that says, "DO NOT WASH"....

 

You do not own a car until you have personally put a dent, scratch or other blemish in it.

My rock chip at 560 miles was my event.

 

LOL

Doesn't it suck when you're driving fast and all of a sudden, there's gravel all over the road. You're afraid to take a look at your car when you stop.

 

there is a Magic substance for removing dings, scratches, chips & dents.

It is called DIRT. simply stop washing your car for a couple months and all of the dings, scratches, chips & dents will magically disappear.

Seriously there is no way that I am aware of to remove scratches from Aluminum, it is too soft. A better idea would be to use this as an excuse to get a set of the illuminated sills. I LOVE mine.

 

I've stopped worrying about the minor scratches on my car. I've come to realize that there's nothing I can do to prevent these types of blemishes except to never drive my car. Plus, I pulled up behind a 2007 BMW X5 today at a stoplight and there was a huge scratch right under the BMW emblem. I feel better about my minor scratches now. Maybe the Acura dealer will be kind enough to quickly buff out the minor scratches for free.

 

the answer is a it's a car and if you drive it daily... it's gonna have imperfections.

 

Where do you drive? LOL...to the end of your drive way to get your mail. I can't see anyone driving daily for 2 1/2 years with no rock chips/scratches/dents and have only 27,000 miles. Then again unless you live in a town with a 5 mile radius. Or you drive 1.5 miles to your car pool drop off location and return to that same spot , get in your TL to go back home. Alot you guys on here really be kidding yourself.

If you drive on a daily basis you have a chip or scratch somewhere.

 

Couldn't have said that any better!

 

I have to be hinest and say that Acura doesn't have bullet proof paint. Their paint composition is not the best. BMW has that good sh#!

 

I have to be honest and say that Acura doesn't have bullet proof paint. Their paint composition is not the best. Invest in some good wax and a rotary buffer. BMW has that good sh#!

 

My first ding on side door was so distressing, kinda like a break up from a girlfriend or something. After the 3rd minor ding I became hardened as long as there is no dent I am good.