Is it possible to have air conditioning installed?
Tad asked:
My girlfriend is looking for a new car. She’s on a tight budget but there’s a few things she definitely wants in the car she gets. One thing is air conditioning. But in some cases it really increases the cost of the car. So my question is, is it possible to get an a/c installed in a car that doesn’t have it to begin with? And if it can, does it cost a lot of money? Or would it be more cost-effective to just buy a car with a/c on it?
Hue
My girlfriend is looking for a new car. She’s on a tight budget but there’s a few things she definitely wants in the car she gets. One thing is air conditioning. But in some cases it really increases the cost of the car. So my question is, is it possible to get an a/c installed in a car that doesn’t have it to begin with? And if it can, does it cost a lot of money? Or would it be more cost-effective to just buy a car with a/c on it?
Hue
January 17th, 2010 at 6:06 am
Humberto
its costs more to add it on later and some make and models you cannot add it.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:04 am
John
Yes, and if you buy a car with no A/C it is about 4K-5K cheaper.
January 20th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Emile
yes it is possible but it well be costly
January 23rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Mauro
You can add it on later if you want, but it will cost more to do so because you will have to pay for labor costs on top of the a/c. The whole dash will have to come out and you possibly might need a new wiring harness also. There is probably a lot more to it than that because the front end would have to be taken apart to. I would just find one with a/c in it already, save yourself and your G/F the heartache.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:20 am
Tereasa
OK, yes it can be installed at a later date. There all kinds of aftermarket ac units available. You might be able to get them out of a salvage yard or from an actual part store and there are always on line stores and eBay. However it is easier and faster to but the car with ac already installed. Even if you can do the work your-self how would you charge the system?
January 26th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Deanna
first off almost all car companies who sell in the us do not give u and option on ac u have to have it, unless its an older model. I know for a fact that now its impossible to buy a new vehicle without one in the U.S. and it would be cheaper to get it factory then installed later.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Laree
If you are going to skimp on something, do not let it be the a/c. If you add that feature after purchasing, it would not be covered by any warranties and would cost more to add to the vehicle than you may anticipate. For example, a bank lends money on vehicles based on “book values.” A car without a/c typically has a deduction on the amount you can borrow of $500. It would cost you more to purchase the a/c system and pay labor to have installed that the bank would allow for adjustment on loan value. Whatever you do, if a/c is a must, buy a car with it already installed!!
January 31st, 2010 at 3:31 am
Emma
don’t add it later, its much more cost effective to buy a car with a/c. maybe she should just skip a/c if money is tight. in the south its a necessity but its not needed in the Northwest and it probably isnt needed much in the Midwest and Northeast. just go old school and roll the windows down.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Frida
Go with factory air. It’s not THAT much more and is always better than after market air. I’ve had it both ways, and can say from experience factory air is the only way to go. They give you a better radiator also.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Stephania
well for sure i know u can get an a/c installed but i think its more cost efficient if you already have it installed in the car to begin with. tell your g/f that i said good luck with buying her new car.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Haydee
Anything between £250 – £1000 depending where and what car.