Members of the Tri-Shield Alliance: Circumstances have brought me to the conclusion that my 2018 Colorado crew cab Z-71 isn’t the vehicle best suited for my purposes. In light of that revelation, I have traded it for a 2019 Buick Regal TourX wagon. The issue I have is over whether or not to purchase the extended warranty that the dealer is offering. It’s about $3K added to the total, and the dealership states that it’s the exact coverage that would be included in the original factory warranty, available for as long as I own the car. They also are including a lifetime power train warranty with the car at no charge, useable after the 4/50 factory warranty expires. My last experience was over 30 years ago. My car had a carburetor failure, and when I presented the extended warranty card to the service writer, he told me it didn’t cover that part. When I asked what it would cover, he looked me directly in the eyes and said “Whatever doesn’t break.” That episode is what I’ve used to form an opinion on virtually every extended warranty I’ve been offered since. What is the consensus of the group? Your own experiences, and recommendations, will be appreciated. Since the car arrives Wednesday, I have some time to think about it and consider if it’s worth the added cost. With 9 computers, any of which could cost as much as or more than the warranty, I know it almost sounds like a no-brainer. But my ‘06 Pontiac, with 4 computers, hasn’t skipped a beat since I bought it new, so I have some faith in the longevity of GM electronics. Let us discuss...
my experience with extended warranties ……. has been negative , 100%. as you stated , seems to NEVER cover what is broken, if you really feel the need, consult you auto insurer, I'm sure they can provide something similar, at less $$$
I've never taken an extended warranty. Not on a car, a computer, a washer/dryer, a home or a TV. They are almost all profit for the seller. If you must have one, check with your auto insurer and get road side assistance for next to nothing.
Only got an extended warranty on a vehicle once, and there were so many technical requirements about usage and maintenance requirements, that I regretted it almost immediately. Worst money ever spent. Got it on my second computer, and no problems until two months after the extended warranty ended, naturally. So, more wasted money...
Waste of money. Its just a way for the dealer to take more out of your pocket . I NEVER take a extended warranty on anything , Washer Dryer or whatever . I was at Harbor Freight the other day and the guy in front of me was buying one of those wooden dollies . It was like $10 . The clerk asked him if he wanted the extended warranty for it . Another $4 .
Hi Joe. I have bought several new cars in recent years. The best deal I get is by registering on cars.com. The next day dealers will start calling you. I tell them EXACTLY what I want and that this is there ONE shot as I’ll take the best deal I get on the phone. Cars.com tells you right what you should be paying. I tell each dealer what I will pay and one will agree. I also offer HALF for the extended warranty and then see what they counter with. And I LOVE the TourX. Shame it isn’t turbocharged.
I’ve bought the warranty and had good experience so far with it. I have only bought it on cars, not other things like appliances, etc.
Consumer groups say that you should never buy extended warranties. By the time you pay for warranties on everthing, you could have spent less just paying to repair / replace whatever went bad. As far as the specific case for a car, what I have heard from friends is that something has to truly be broken before they will warrant the repairs. So if you have an axle going bad, they will require you to drive it until the car flat out breaks down and leaves you stranded. No having stuff fixed because it's going bad -- it has to be flat broken ruoned shot. And that is beyond the usual "oh that aint covered" exceptions which seem to be 1/2 the car.
Unless things have changed, you do not have to purchase the extended warranty now .. only BEFORE the factory warranty expires, however .. I wouldnt trust ANY dealership to give the correct info about this - call the manufacturer or email them. It may cost more later on .. but if you're not sure you are going to keep it long after the factory warranty, it may factor cheaper. Also find out if the extended warranty is transferable. Personally .. I wouldn't own a modern car without a warranty. Good luck with the TourX -
Actually, it is turbocharged. I was pleasantly surprised when I took it on the highway. At the base of the on ramp I was going 55. I got into it - didn’t floor it - and got to 97 before the merge lane ran out. Damn thing was a rocket. The dealer explained how the turbo is regulated by the computers, and that the boost is increased as well. For a 4 banger, it’s no slouch.
Until the bride bought her new Chrysler Pacifica van, we had never purchased an extended warranty on a vehicle. I was and am nervous about the nine-speed automatic transmission due to lots of small parts. We did buy a warranty that is for the driveline up to 100,000 miles. The warranty supposedly will provide us with a loaner vehicle if there is a failure that requires that the Pacifica be out of service. Hopefully we will not find out if the extended warranty was worth it. FWIW the standard factory warranty is much shorter then it used to be; our 2012 Chrysler Town and Country was 7 years and 70,000 miles. The Pacifica is 3 years or 36,000 miles.
There is a very high markup on warranty's. My wife bought a '90 Ranger, new. At the time I worked at a Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep/Eagle dealership. Through networking with an associate at a Lincoln/Mercury dealer , we got the $900 extended warranty for $300. You can negotiate it into the deal. Get a Bumper-to-bumper.
Just as others have stated above: they are a profit vehicle for whoever is selling them. I've never bought one, for anything, and have never been sorry. There are usually exclusions and too many hoops to jump through to make it worth it to me. I usually figure the car will show it's faults long before the factory warranty expires. This is just my opinion; based on my experience. Good Luck! Philip T.
I really don't want to drag this thread off topic, but this post does involve extended warrantys. Several years ago we were going to purchase a new dishwasher. In a rare spurt of brilliance, I called a local appliance service company. My first question was "Do you sell appliances?" "Nope, we're a service company only." "Great. What brand of dishwasher should we buy?" "In the last few years they have all gotten cheaper, buy a middle-of-the price range washer and purchase the extended warranty - you will probably use it." I did, and I didn't. Go figure.
There’s a funny thread on Jalopnik about gaming Carmax by buying a used Range Rover with the warranty and really getting one’s money’s worth. Patrick https://jalopnik.com/my-range-rover-s-carmax-warranty-is-now-half-over-and-i-1733772237
I have to agree with you Phillip. I've done the same and never been sorry . Last dishwasher lasted 13 years . Last Refrigerator lasted 19 years . Last washer and dryer went well over 12 years . Still driving a 2000 Silverado 2500 , 2003 Suburban and 2004 Blazer .
In my opinion the only extended warranty worth considering is the one offered and backed by the vehicle manufacturer.
