Hi all!
Yesterday I went and factory ordered a brand new Escape XLT 2.5L FWD with Canadian Winter (leather) package, Convenience Group, Cargo Convenience package, Sync, ambient lighting and remote start. Steel Blue exterior and Stone interior. I'm excited! Now the waiting begins...
While I'm waiting for delivery I have started researching what's available out there for protecting the metal and paint from the elements. I'd like to get some opinions from the community on what's worthwhile and what's a waste of money.
Here is some background... My wife and I love to go on road trips, and we also visit family about 45 highway minutes outside the city many times a year. That makes for some highway driving, and I am concerned about flying debris. We also live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the winters are mostly cold and the road salt is plentiful. I am pretty handy, and I'm not afraid to get hands-on with my car. I am also thrifty, and my wife is even more so. This Escape will be our first brand-new vehicle.
1. I have been reading about paint protection film from the likes of 3M Scotchgard, VentureShield, XPEL, etc. That kind of product looks great to me and seems to make sense, but to get a precut kit to cover all the most vulnerable spots would cost several hundred dollars. Instead, I'm thinking of getting some rolls of that urethane film, and trim it myself as I apply it. If I search eBay for "paint protection film roll", I see a bunch of VentureShield film by the roll. My question here is, are there less-expensive places to get this film? Does anyone here know of any good stores anywhere between Winnipeg and Minneapolis where this film can be easily acquired for cheap? We love the twin cities by the way, and drive there at least once a year on average.
2. My next question is, for a Canadian, what is the least expensive way to get a set of those WeatherTech DigitalFit weather mats? My understanding is that they are only available through mail-order, right? Is ordering direct from WeatherTech Canadian web store the only way to go?
3. Is undercoating from a third party such as Ming or Ziebart worth the money? I intend to wash the Escape regularly anyway. Perhaps I'll wait and see if the Escape could use some quieting before considering undercoating.
I'm sure that I'll think of other things to do to my Escape once I get it, but this is all for now. Thanks!
-Ryan the BeatJunkie
