Window tint and clear plate questions

[Jedi5150]

Hello all, I'm excited because my new 4Runner arrived at the dealership today, and they say I can come pick it up tomorrow. The downside is they say I'll have to make an appointment to come back and get two things done that won't be ready by tomorrow. They said the "clear plate" (a $900 option that they refuse to sell the car without), and the window tinting (a $349 option) will not be done by tomorrow if I decide to take it home.

I've been reading as many window tint threads on various forums as I can find, but I'm still confused. They say the windows won't be tinted, but my understanding was that 4Runners came from Japan with a "factory tint", which is the darkening of the actual glass, not a film layer. So the windows would still be somewhat tinted, even without getting the "optional tint" done, right? Or will it be crystal clear all the way around?

I really don't want to go with a super dark tint, I prefer the look of a more mild tint. Ideally, I'd like about a 90% on the windshield, 70% on the front driver and passenger sides, and 50% on the rear and rear sides. How close will "factory tint" come to that? And if I'm wanting 50% on the rear and sides, what percentage should I be paying for if it is going to be added on top of the already factory tinted windows? And lastly, does the dealership even give you an option of tint percentages when you buy their $349 optional tint?

And the clear plate...$900 is a lot of money. Is it worth it? I'm really not a DIY guy, so if I need it done, I'd just as soon have them do it.

Thanks in advance, I know some of these questions the dealership can answer in the morning, but I'm also trying to understand it myself so they don't try to screw me over.

 

[WRM1]

The "clear plate" sounds like a high profit dealer add on wax job. If they give you an additional warranty with it, it might not be as big a screw job, but I like to ask why it's needed. And after they do their spiel, I'll reply with "Are you telling me that the factory paint on this $40,000 vehicle sucks, and requires additional protection?". Given the market right now, you will likely have to pay. Just ask what it does and does it come with any additional warranties. You can always refuse to have it put on, and just give them the $900, since they won't sell you the car without it.

My 2010 Trail doesn't have any extra tint, and I've been happy with it since I bought the car new in 2010.

 

[Ezlife45]

Pass on the clear plate. Regarding the clear plate, ask them to prove to you what they could possibly do at the dealership that couldn't have been already done on the factory paint in a climate controlled environment.

My 2014 has tinted glass for the sunroof, and all windows EXCEPT the driver and passenger door. I'm usually a fan of darker tint mostly for heat but partly because I don't want people to see what is inside. Legal here is 50% so I just did 50 all the way around. The back is decent now but I don't like the light front.

Oh BTW, windshields are tinted too, but only a very slight amount.

 

[Jedi5150]

My 2010 Trail doesn't have any extra tint, and I've been happy with it since I bought the car new in 2010.

Thanks! I've never gotten tint put on any of my vehicles, which included a 2002 4Runner, and 2009 and 2017 Tacos. How it came from the factory was always just fine for me, but this made me second guess if some of those came with the "tint option" and I just didn't realize it when I bought them. As long as the windows aren't crystal clear all the way around, I'll be fine.

Pass on the clear plate. Regarding the clear plate, ask them to prove to you what they could possibly do at the dealership that couldn't have been already done on the factory paint in a climate controlled environment.

The clear plate still confuses me a little. On another forum someone said it is like a clear coat, but this guy did his own clear coat for about $300. I'm trying to debate whether a factory one 3 times that amount is worth it. To be clear, I already know the answer to that, I'm just trying to decide how hard I want to fight them on it. :fencing:

 

[fkheath]

Some thoughts:

Both are a high pressure sales pitch to make the dealer more money. Neither of them are factory products and you have the right to refuse them. You may be stuck if you really want the vehicle, however.

For most trim levels, the factory windows are already tinted, darker in the back and lighter on the windshield. In some states, such as mine, it is illegal to darken the windshield more than what comes from the factory. A good quality tint film will be crystal clear, but low quality films can be foggy and have bubbles in them.

Paint protection film (PPF) is a good thing to have for it helps prevent rock chips in the paint. There is a PPF port installed (Toyota factory) accessory package available but it sounds like what you are being offered is not that.

 

[Jedi5150]

Some thoughts:

Both are a high pressure sales pitch to make the dealer more money. Neither of them are factory products and you have the right to refuse them. You may be stuck if you really want the vehicle, however.


Paint protection film (PPF) is a good thing to have for it helps prevent rock chips in the paint. There is a PPF port installed (Toyota factory) accessory package available but it sounds like what you are being offered is not that.

Your description of the PPF sounds exactly like what the salesman described to me, but according to them they are doing it at the dealership. It wouldn't surprise me if they are doing their own thing, I trust dealerships as far as I can throw them.

Your point about how much I want the vehicle is a valid one. In the 6 dealerships near me (2 in the Springs and 4 in Denver), mine was the one and only OR or ORP that would be arriving at any of them in less than 3 months. Out of 6 dealerships only one 4Runner was in stock, a white SR5 which is not what I was looking for. I didn't even get to pick my color, and I would have preferred it came with a moonroof, but beggars can't be choosers. I like the color well enough, and I can live without a moonroof. But the point I'm making is I don't have much "walking away" power, and of course they know that.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So I have no idea what a "Clear Plate" is, it does sound like their own brand of a PPF that they're using, but I would verify that before you pay for it.

I forgot what brand our dealership uses, I think it's called "Digi Shield?" But, it's actually pretty good stuff, I see a lot of the vehicles that get sold coming back for service regularly; it holds up pretty damn well and you barely notice it on most vehicles unless you look close up. I had strongly recommended it for my parent's Sienna because they're doing long road trips and on the freeway a lot (where windshield/paint damage is likeliest to occur) and it's help up great.

They did pay for the "windshield treatment" which was some sort of fancy polymer coating/wax that lasts quite a bit... supposed to protect the glass from minor chips and let water bead up or something? That... I don't really know if that's worth the few hundred that they charged them, but it was their money and they wanted it so whatever.

Yes, most trims on the 4Runners come with "Privacy Glass;" where the windows after the B-Pillar are darkened. But by law the windshield and two front door windows are not privacy glass. So maybe either they're tinting the front windows (which I don't know how legal that is in your state) or your vehicle doesn't come with privacy glass and they're putting tint on the rear as if it does?

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

You can cake as much shit as you want to on top of shitty paint, but if it’s prone to chipping (Super White) it won’t save it.


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[DirtyMarcus]

My only thought on not getting the "clear plate" package is to get all the way through the paperwork and when your about to sign the finance agreement, stop and tell them your not comfortable with that package and want it removed. By that point your hours into this game and they may cave to avoid losing a customer and being hours into the deal.

However if you have everything agreed to and signed already it may be too late. $349 for the front passenger and driver windows isnt bad if its ceramic tint but for that price i doubt your getting windshield tint (if your under that impression ask). Windshield tint is generally $150-$200 for ceramic and in Texas has to be clear. I had it dont in my 4R and TBH im not sure its really helping or not. We've had so many 100 degree days already im pretty sure it might keep the temp down 1-3 degrees max lol. :gun4:

 

[fkheath]

Hello all, I'm excited because my new 4Runner arrived at the dealership today, and they say I can come pick it up tomorrow. The downside is they say I'll have to make an appointment to come back and get two things done that won't be ready by tomorrow. They said the "clear plate" (a $900 option that they refuse to sell the car without), and the window tinting (a $349 option) will not be done by tomorrow if I decide to take it home.

Just curious what would happen if you don't come back to get them installed. Then come back a few days later and ask for a refund because those items were never installed.

 

[Jedi5150]

Just curious what would happen if you don't come back to get them installed. Then come back a few days later and ask for a refund because those items were never installed.

Well, if they don't agree to dropping them prior to me signing on the dotted line, I think we might just find out how your plan works. :naughty:

 

[USStrongman]

Given the market right now, you will likely have to pay.

The dealer can't force you to add this. It is a "dealer option" not a dealer "requirement", of which there is no such thing.

If it were me, I'd contact Toyota and tell them the dealer is forcing and threatening you into something you don't want, to buy one of their products. I am guessing I am older than you? I'd walk away and find a new dealer and wait a little longer. Extortion and manipulation makes me angry.

 

[Jedi5150]

The dealer can't force you to add this. It is a "dealer option" not a dealer "requirement", of which there is no such thing.

If it were me, I'd contact Toyota and tell them the dealer is forcing and threatening you into something you don't want, to buy one of their products. I am guessing I am older than you? I'd walk away and find a new dealer and wait a little longer. Extortion and manipulation makes me angry.

If that was for me, I'm 49 years young. But to be honest, I've found that age often has very little to do with wisdom or maturity. Haha.

I agree with you that manipulation is an ugly thing. I will do my best to stick to my guns, but unfortunately, waiting several months is not something I'm willing to do. If that means I have to make some concessions, I guess that's just the way it goes. I understand I can't complain too loudly when I make a choice like that, but it also doesn't mean I have to jump for joy by being extorted.

 

[DirtyMarcus]

yea, this issue is its a sellers market. theyll sell the 4runner in a day or two if you dont take the clear plate option and they know it. when i got mine they got me with some interior protection package. as someone that details for fun i knew it was a ripoff but i was without a vehicle and they had what i wanted so there wasnt much for me to do. theyd have sold it to someone else within hours.

 

[USStrongman]

If that was for me, I'm 49 years young. But to be honest, I've found that age often has very little to do with wisdom or maturity. Haha.

Soon to be 55. So many young guys, me included when I was young, are impatient and want what they want now for fear of what society thinks of them or simple self esteem. Obviously certain circumstances require certain sacrifices.

I for one couldn't do it. I'd buy elsewhere and when the market comes tumbling down, which it most certainly will soon, I'll giggle as they call me wanting to know what they can do to sell me a new car. Which happened with my last Jeep. Nothing was my reply. How soon they forget their hypocritic douchbaggery.

 

[Jedi5150]

yea, this issue is its a sellers market. theyll sell the 4runner in a day or two if you dont take the clear plate option and they know it. when i got mine they got me with some interior protection package. as someone that details for fun i knew it was a ripoff but i was without a vehicle and they had what i wanted so there wasnt much for me to do. theyd have sold it to someone else within hours.

You’re absolutely right. They would have sold it in hours. I was able to get them to leave the tint off, but they stuck to their guns about the clear plate. Remarkably, by the time I got to the dealership, they had “already started it”…

 

[Jedi5150]

Thanks all, I appreciate the responses. So for my final update, I got my 4Runner and I love it. They put on the Clear Plate and were unwilling to budge on it. As for the window tint, I got them to drop it from the deal and couldn't be happier. The windows are exactly like my 2017 Taco was, a nice maybe 50% or 35% on all the back windows, and a barely noticeable (maybe 90%?) tint on the front two windows. I absolutely love this tint style, and didn't have to pay a penny.

And Bronco, that irritated me a ton too, when I was driving up there today the salesman told me that I needed the tint because 4Runners don't come from the factory with tinted windows. I told him straight out he was full of crap, that they come with the "factory tint", which is not a film, covering everything but the front two windows. He flat out lied to me to try and get me to keep the tint option. He also lied and said they were the only dealership in the area that doesn't do a 3-5k markup. I told him that was a lie, that I'd called all 5 surrounding dealerships, and remarkably, they are ALL "the only dealership that doesn't do a markup..."

 

[USStrongman]

Just remember these dealres when they start calling you wanting to know if you'd like to come see the new 2023 or 2024 when the economy tanks. It will be a huge buyers market and you can walk away from anything you want and they will come crawling back.

I'm kinda bummed that Carvana, etc have screwed themselves up so bad. It was or could be a great leveling tool. My wife found a 2022 CH-R on Carvana, super low miles, midnight edition. Gave her an amazing trade in for her Velostor. Countered with our local Toyota dealer who had a brand new one, and they matched the Caravana offer.

Lawsuits in 14 states and counting - Carvana allegedly leaving car buyers on the hook after selling cars without title | Fox Business

 

[mc813]

Did you ever find out what they meant by "clear plate"? $900 is in the ballpark for what full front bumper/hood/fenders would cost to apply film to (probably on the low side). If it's PPF, that might be one of the dumber nicknames I've ever heard for it :lmao:

 

[Pedro367]

Did you ever find out what they meant by "clear plate"? $900 is in the ballpark for what full front bumper/hood/fenders would cost to apply film to (probably on the low side). If it's PPF, that might be one of the dumber nicknames I've ever heard for it :lmao:

Keep in mind, most car salesman know literally nothing about or have an ounce of passion for cars.