NEGOTIATING for a car purchase can be a nerve-wracking and difficult process. But even once you’ve agreed on that golden price, you’re not home free. If you’re buying a new car, there are plenty of options a dealer will still try to persuade you to tack on. While some of these might make sense for you, others aren’t worth the money. Though they may add only a few dollars a day to your monthly payment, they can add a lot to the price of your new car.

Local auto dealers, for the most part, might not offer these options but, if so, here are dealer add-ons that you should think twice about.

Extended warranties

The extended warranty is one of the most alluring dealer extras. After all, doesn’t everyone want a little extra peace of mind? But no matter how good it sounds, remember: Always say no. First of all, your car’s original warranty may be all you need.

Secondly, a dealer’s extended warranty isn’t necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more and you are usually required to return to that dealership to get it honoured – which could become a problem.

Fabric and Paint Protection

Stain protection for your seats and floors can cost hundreds of dollars at the dealership. But while it may make you feel better when you’re balancing a drink in one hand and driving with the other, it’s not worth the money. Scotchgard Auto Interior Fabric Protector is available from the store shelf and it accomplishes virtually the same thing as what the dealer may provide. The only difference is that the dealer’s fabric protection might come with a warranty, which means they’ll cover the cost of removing any stubborn stains.

Another possible dealer extra, paint protection, won’t accomplish much more than a good coat of wax will. Again, you can apply this yourself by picking up polymer sealant car wax at the auto parts store. Remember that your car already comes with a good coat of sealant from the factory, so you only need to apply wax about once a year.

Rustproofing

Unless a car is decades old, rust isn’t usually a problem. And unless you plan on keeping your car for decades, you won’t need any extra rustproofing. Modern vehicles are built to withstand rust, and nearly every new car comes with a lengthy rust perforation warranty. That makes rustproofing one of the biggest rip-offs a dealer can entice you to buy — because why would you want to pay for something twice?

Maintenance Plans

A maintenance programme covers fluid changes and other regular maintenance items. However, you will have to take your car to the dealership for service. While entering in a maintenance program up front may cost less than paying for individual services at the dealership, it might not cost less than going to an outside repair shop for maintenance. You’ll have to do the math to decide if a maintenance plan is right for you.

During negotiations, you might even be able to convince a dealer to throw in a maintenance plan for free. Some automakers already provide maintenance programmes for free with a new vehicle. BMW’s Ultimate Service for instance programme runs for four years or 50,000 miles.