Thanks for the good info. This is vette#1 for me.
Tinting...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Tinting...
This is the first time I'm personally buying brand new and ordering by spec from the dealer. That being said, I remember my 2002 Trans Am had fantastic rear tint. I don't know if that was dealer or factory installed.
Is there something I need to ask for at the dealer to make sure the car comes in with a tinted rear glass?
Is there something I need to ask for at the dealer to make sure the car comes in with a tinted rear glass?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 695
Likes: 19
Most dealers apply tint as soon as the car gets in. Then they put some absurd price on it since most buyers just fork it over since it is already on the car.
If you are ordering it though, tell them you do not want anything added to the car.
There are thousands of tint installers who will use better tint and do a better job than the dealer, and it will be a third of the price. Talk to friends to find someone they recommend.
I also highly recommend getting a clear bra installed. Mine has held up great to a ton of track time over the last eight years. While cleaning wax off the edge is a major pain, it is definitely well worth it. Just like the tint, talk to people to find a good installer.
Since this is your first new car, the best advice I can give you is to buy absolutely nothing from the dealer except the car. No packages, no paint protection, no warranties, no alarms, nothing. If you want an extended warranty, you can always get it later from any GM dealer and find the best deal.
If you are ordering it though, tell them you do not want anything added to the car.
There are thousands of tint installers who will use better tint and do a better job than the dealer, and it will be a third of the price. Talk to friends to find someone they recommend.
I also highly recommend getting a clear bra installed. Mine has held up great to a ton of track time over the last eight years. While cleaning wax off the edge is a major pain, it is definitely well worth it. Just like the tint, talk to people to find a good installer.
Since this is your first new car, the best advice I can give you is to buy absolutely nothing from the dealer except the car. No packages, no paint protection, no warranties, no alarms, nothing. If you want an extended warranty, you can always get it later from any GM dealer and find the best deal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 71
From: St. Jacob Illinois
I'm not that **** about stuff, but I wouldn't even let the dealer wash it. I know of a detailer on another huge forum that gets a lot of work on higher end cars that dealers washed and they put swirl marks etc in it with 0 miles on it and they had to end up paying him a hundreds of dollars to buff them out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Most dealers apply tint as soon as the car gets in. Then they put some absurd price on it since most buyers just fork it over since it is already on the car.
If you are ordering it though, tell them you do not want anything added to the car.
There are thousands of tint installers who will use better tint and do a better job than the dealer, and it will be a third of the price. Talk to friends to find someone they recommend.
I also highly recommend getting a clear bra installed. Mine has held up great to a ton of track time over the last eight years. While cleaning wax off the edge is a major pain, it is definitely well worth it. Just like the tint, talk to people to find a good installer.
Since this is your first new car, the best advice I can give you is to buy absolutely nothing from the dealer except the car. No packages, no paint protection, no warranties, no alarms, nothing. If you want an extended warranty, you can always get it later from any GM dealer and find the best deal.
If you are ordering it though, tell them you do not want anything added to the car.
There are thousands of tint installers who will use better tint and do a better job than the dealer, and it will be a third of the price. Talk to friends to find someone they recommend.
I also highly recommend getting a clear bra installed. Mine has held up great to a ton of track time over the last eight years. While cleaning wax off the edge is a major pain, it is definitely well worth it. Just like the tint, talk to people to find a good installer.
Since this is your first new car, the best advice I can give you is to buy absolutely nothing from the dealer except the car. No packages, no paint protection, no warranties, no alarms, nothing. If you want an extended warranty, you can always get it later from any GM dealer and find the best deal.
The dealer knows not to do anything with the car other than receive it and accept my money. LOL
I'm not that **** about stuff, but I wouldn't even let the dealer wash it. I know of a detailer on another huge forum that gets a lot of work on higher end cars that dealers washed and they put swirl marks etc in it with 0 miles on it and they had to end up paying him a hundreds of dollars to buff them out.
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Why the dark tinted glass is not offered on the hatch as a option from the factory is beyond me, it's available on most SUV's including the back & side windows (not driver or pass) and now with the backup camera it shouldn't be a safety issue. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 2,590
From: Northern VA, USA
State laws are why. Here in Virginia, its illegal. SUVs (actually "multi purpose vehicles" which are defined as built on a truck platform or with special provisions for off road use) are allowed any tint on the back and rear passenger windows. However, cars can have no more than 35% tint. I believe there are state even more restrictive. Although 35% is clearly much darker than the factory, which is usually around 70% or so.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
SCM, there are plenty of good tint shops in LA... and plenty of shoddy ones too. Find a good brand, I used Suntek, and then find a dealer for the brand or brands you'd be willing to use. Call around, talk to buddies, then choose a shop after that. Getting a half-assed tint job or a good job with lousy tint will give you a sour taste which would suck for such a nice car.
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
State laws are why. Here in Virginia, its illegal. SUVs (actually "multi purpose vehicles" which are defined as built on a truck platform or with special provisions for off road use) are allowed any tint on the back and rear passenger windows. However, cars can have no more than 35% tint. I believe there are state even more restrictive. Although 35% is clearly much darker than the factory, which is usually around 70% or so.
Many will end up tinting aftermarket with no law broken why not offer it as a option where applicable by law based on what you say about 'different state laws'. Not a big deal just a bit more convienent then finding tint shops that can do it correctly.
^See post above about what a PITA to find a good tint shop thats what i mean^
Last edited by Rob 99; May 30, 2013 at 10:46 PM.