That's the part that doesn't make sense to me. It's either a gift to him, and it's his problem to take care of, or a gift to the government, and their problem.

When you get elected president your car(s) doesn't suddenly get overhauled with bullet proof glass and security features paid for by the government. You hop in a government provided vehicle, and when you leave (outside of specific instances and time frames) you hop back in your normal car and live your life. Sure the secret service is around for things, but George Bush buys a truck from dealership, it doesn't get taken to a military installation and reworked with our taxes.

This is a really good case for sabotaging the retrofit. Slow it wwwwaaaaaayyyyy doooowwwnnn, and do all the merely cosmetic tacky gilt stuff first. Once he retires, the protective shielding and communications and weaponry won't be necessary anymore. And he won't care, as long as it looks lavish enough.

Also I think we really need to start using "retires" rather than "leaves office." Or "goes private" if it seems like he doesn't want to feel old enough for retirement. We have to make it seem like something he'd want. If we really made it appealing he'd quit early, because he's sure the fuck not doing this job for the sake of the nation.