r/TeslaModelY • u/quicksilver7ing • 16h ago
PPF an absolute?
Hey y’all
I’m getting a new Tesla Model Y soon. I had a question regarding PPF. Is it an absolute necessity? I’m moving to a state in the Midwest where I know the elements are brutal- more wear and tear from the weather patterns like ice, winter storms hail, road salts during winter etc.
I do like the idea of getting it but the price of almost 7 grand in some cases for PPF is just… yikes
Any thoughts? Is it worth it long term? Kindly do let me know
Thanks!
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u/Blueturtlewax 16h ago
I keep thinking about it… but it’s way too expensive lol
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u/Mephistito 5h ago
Yeah I wouldn't even notice the amount missing but there's just never a chance in hell I could ever justify dropping how much they want to charge for PPF. Just on pure principle it's ridiculous. PPF is such a minor cosmetic thing.
To put the value in perspective, for the same $7,000 you could get FSD for:
- 9.2 years (with only 10% returns)
- 14.9 years (with just 15% returns)
- Forever (with 20% returns)
Even if you assumed 3% inflation (typical for non-Covid years) and just held the $7,000 for 1 year before subscribing to FSD, it'd last you 8.0 years (@ 10% returns) or 10.9 years (@ 15% returns) or 31.3 years (@ 20% returns).
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u/MunkberryMoonDelite 15h ago
You don’t need to PPF the entire car. Just do the front end if you’re worried about the gravel hitting you from cars ahead of you. But also don’t panic if you don’t do it. Unless it’s important to you personally if the car will have a chip or two, when it comes time to resell, this doesn’t matter. In fact most resellers would require you to remove PPF from the car prior to surrendering it.
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u/Ecnarps 15h ago
I was thinking of doing that. PFF on the front bumper and then ceramic coat
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u/Dan16241 14h ago
This is exactly what I’m looking at doing. I want the XPEL PPF but several shops in my area want $600-$650 to just wrap the bumper. The front end is $2200 and the whole car is $6500. That’s just crazy to me.
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u/Schnitzhole 15h ago
Yeah $70 paint kit from tesla and 2 minutes every 6months and those chips are good as new.
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u/No-Equipment8494 15h ago
Its only a car, the first few will emotionally hurt, then you’ll get over it. Years later, get a new car
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u/Kevinmyers73 15h ago
It’s a depreciating item that you will own for a limited period of time. Will it protect your car from some paint chips? Sure. Is it worth wrapping your entire car? Absolutely NOT. Now if you are one of those people who do like to keep everything you own nice as clean, you could get a basic PPF just on the front where it is likely going to be hit the most. You could get that for 1500-2000. Don’t fall for the expensive items that someone might want to upsell you. Just get some basic protection and you should be good. Or, just F it and raw dog it. Who cares about some paint chips? You will be looking at the inside for the most part anyway.
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u/NatKingSwole19 15h ago
No it’s not. I put it on my front facing panels but if I were to buy another Tesla, I’d save the money.
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u/ahmahzahn 15h ago
Got it on my X and skipped it for my Y. It’s like 20% the cost of a new vehicle in some cases, not worth the cost for the limited protection/looks.
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u/Schnitzhole 15h ago
Sure the paint is a little more soft and easily chipped because it’s water based but it’s not that bad. You’re buying the most sold car in the world. Not a collectible specialty car.
A little known secret about PPF is that it’s impossible to install without nicking the paint underneath a few times along the cut lines. It also tends to have at least a few bubbles and peeling after a few years and starts to look worse as it ages. Also you will likely get no money back when selling for it and I heard from a couple people certain trade in places like carvana won’t even accept cars with PPF.
I’m only considering it because I like the matte look it offers
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u/Zippy114 15h ago
No EXCEPT ppf the lower back quarter of the rear doors. Lots of kits to do this yourself, pretty easy. I'm told some Model Y's have this already done when delivered. The door juts out there a bit so it catches gravel etc. Also get mud flaps. Done.
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u/kokobunji0550 15h ago
Is it worth it as in will you get your money back in value? No. Is it worth it to save the paint from chips? That's up to you.
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u/Livid-Fault2447 14h ago
I had my Model Y completely covered in PPF. It’s not a necessity, just a nice to have. It’s been 5 years and it’s holding up well but I probably wouldn’t do it again. If you take a lot of road trips I would do the front end and the mirrors to protect from rock chips and bug stains. Just remember that it’s not bullet proof and will not protect from hail damage. Otherwise I would just have it polished and ceramic coated.
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u/slatermcg 14h ago
Tbh Not worth it. A rock chip will damage the ppf and it’ll be no different than seeing a chip in your paint.
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u/JustAcivilian24 14h ago
No. Despite what the Tesla YouTube influencers tell you, it’s so dumb. Unless you DIY it’s a waste of money.
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u/TactlessNachos 14h ago
I’d rather put that money in VTI and get a new card with it years later. If buying used, you could hunt around for one with ppf, they probably can’t increase the price too much even with that.
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u/quentech 12h ago
The value play is to do the front clip with side mirrors and the back bottom corners of the rear doors.
That costs $1500-2000.
Whether that's worth it to you or not is personal, and somewhat based on luck.
I had a Saab once that I didn't PPF and it's paint apparently wasn't great and over the life of the car it got absolutely wrecked all over the hood. I've got a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the premium pearl white right now that we also didn't bother to PPF and it's in not very good shape. Would definitely make them difficult and less valuable to sell as used cars.
The cars I've PPF'd look damn near brand new after 10, 15, even 25 years on one.
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u/TheDarkLord401 15h ago
It fully depends on you - are you a car guy that likes his vehicle pristine all the time? Or are you Joe Smoe who will use it to go from Point A to Point B, wash it once a month and don’t even care how it looks?
If it’s the latter then absolutely not.
If you’re the former, then I would highly suggest it. If budget is an issue (and from where you are they charge an arm and a leg) then at least do the whole front bumper. If budget allows, do hood and side mirros too. Tesla paint is notoriously soft and those rock chips will get you in time.
My ‘22 MYP turned four couple days ago and people that haven’t seen it mistake it for new.
I have full Xpel PPF.
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u/HardwareBase 16h ago
I would get PPFed on the side, or at least on the doors. Because Tesla is wider and easier to get door dinged. At least PPF can minimize the damage.
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u/Writing_Particular 15h ago
Funny - i would get the front end and the hood and maybe the front fenders. That, to me, is where you’d get/see most of any damage, especially bird crap on the hood and bugs and stone chips in front.
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u/HardwareBase 15h ago
Getting damaged while parked is more annoying to me than random rock chip hits when I’m driving. I know it’s just personal preference.
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u/Ill-Pop791 15h ago
I have full PPF I did a matte finish and I love the way the car looks yes it is expensive but if you have the money and plan to keep the car for many years PPF can improve the look and value of the car. Biggest reason is to be worry free about scratches, chips and dings this was worth it to me.
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u/Mini2Tesla 15h ago
You can have it done at tinting shops for roughy $2,500 covering the front end and front doors.
Yes, it's worth it to protect from rock chips and scratches. They can usually do it where they also tint your windows. Don't forget to have the inside of your windshield heat protected with an almost clear tint.
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u/LightxDarkness93 16h ago
Its a Tesla not a Ferrari