Bumper to bumper extended warranty
- Thread starter west-ky-wildcat
- Start date
I got this for my 2014 Mazda6 which was purchased back in May '13, so almost 3 years of ownership.. Covers everything except dashboard knobs (which is weird), for 6-years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
I have to say, so far, I've thrown all that money out the door as the car hasn't had a single problem with the exception of my stepmom backing into it (stepparents, amirite?). However, is that such a bad thing? In a way, it's kind of like insurance. Yeah, I just paid an extra $25/month, but not being great with cars and having issues in the past, I didn't want to risk some $2,000 part going.
But the car companies aren't going to lose money. These new cars never seem to have issues in the first five to six years. I imagine car manufacturers know this and just want turn a grand or two. Chances are, they won't lose that money in repairs.
If I had the choice again, I'd probably take the gamble and save $25/month, if the car has at least decent reliability. Just like electronics, it seems these warranties are just a money-grab.
I have to say, so far, I've thrown all that money out the door as the car hasn't had a single problem with the exception of my stepmom backing into it (stepparents, amirite?). However, is that such a bad thing? In a way, it's kind of like insurance. Yeah, I just paid an extra $25/month, but not being great with cars and having issues in the past, I didn't want to risk some $2,000 part going.
But the car companies aren't going to lose money. These new cars never seem to have issues in the first five to six years. I imagine car manufacturers know this and just want turn a grand or two. Chances are, they won't lose that money in repairs.
If I had the choice again, I'd probably take the gamble and save $25/month, if the car has at least decent reliability. Just like electronics, it seems these warranties are just a money-grab.
Extended warranties are one of the biggest rip-offs going. The only time they are worth it is when you buy a used car where the original owner bought the extended warranty and you only have to pay a $50 transfer fee. Take the additional money and put it in a savings account. You'll come out ahead almost every time.
I haven't had one for my last 3 used cars and have had no work on them besides preventive maintenance and wear and tear things (like tires). Now I haven't kept any of those cars for longer then 2 years though. First bought a 2006 Mustang GT back in 2012 I believe that had like 50,000 miles on it. Kept it a year before getting rid of it. It was an impulse/midlife crisis buy (always wanted a sports car). It just wasn't a good car for a family and needed to be garage kept and we don't have a garage. Loved and miss that car.
Next car was a 2011 Mazda 3 I bought in 2013 with something like 19,000 miles on it. It was a fun little (little was the issue with back problems getting worse) car with great gas mileage. I kept it for 2 years. Never any issues with it. It would have been a great car to pass on to my son in a couple years.
I decided my last car needed to be a vehicle that sat higher off the ground to help with my back. I wanted a truck but you can't find them with low mileage without paying a bunch for them. I ended up looking at CUV'S/SUV'S. I chose a 2011 Kia Sportage in 2015 with 39,000 miles on it. Loved the look of it and it has pretty good gas mileage. I probably will keep it until it falls apart (hopefully not for a very long time). It has been a year and no issues.
I buy all my cars from large dealerships and have had nothing but good luck so far. The only cars I ever had issues with are older ones that I kept for beyond 75,000 miles. That is when things seem to go wrong more often in my past experience. I only average like 4-6,000 miles a year on my vehicles.
Next car was a 2011 Mazda 3 I bought in 2013 with something like 19,000 miles on it. It was a fun little (little was the issue with back problems getting worse) car with great gas mileage. I kept it for 2 years. Never any issues with it. It would have been a great car to pass on to my son in a couple years.
I decided my last car needed to be a vehicle that sat higher off the ground to help with my back. I wanted a truck but you can't find them with low mileage without paying a bunch for them. I ended up looking at CUV'S/SUV'S. I chose a 2011 Kia Sportage in 2015 with 39,000 miles on it. Loved the look of it and it has pretty good gas mileage. I probably will keep it until it falls apart (hopefully not for a very long time). It has been a year and no issues.
I buy all my cars from large dealerships and have had nothing but good luck so far. The only cars I ever had issues with are older ones that I kept for beyond 75,000 miles. That is when things seem to go wrong more often in my past experience. I only average like 4-6,000 miles a year on my vehicles.
Just buy a dependable car. I'm sitting on 167k. My car is a clunker, and I've never had an issue.
Warranties = tremendously profitable for the seller. Statistically, they kick the customers ever loving *** on those premiums.
Warranties = tremendously profitable for the seller. Statistically, they kick the customers ever loving *** on those premiums.
I've had a '97 BMW Z3 since '99, and its mostly been that 3rd car for nice weather. This car is bulletproof in that only brakes, one battery and the audio system have been updated. Sitting on 98K miles now and its not worth much, but just can't part with this as all it does is what its asked to do each time.
If you know Clark Howard, he stated the most reliable luxury lines currently are Lexus and Porsche. Then he pointed out Buick and Toyota are the most reliable in that category. There were lots on the not-reliable list and luckily, I've avoided those w/the exception of one '04 Ford SportTrac.
If you know Clark Howard, he stated the most reliable luxury lines currently are Lexus and Porsche. Then he pointed out Buick and Toyota are the most reliable in that category. There were lots on the not-reliable list and luckily, I've avoided those w/the exception of one '04 Ford SportTrac.
I totally agree with this. With rare exception, my policy is to always say no to extended warranties of any type. The money you save over time on everything you buy will offset any losses many times over.
Son bought a used Mercedes with low mileage and bought the warranty. $9000 engine repair 4000 miles before the warranty expired
So yes, depends on the car
If you're considering a Toyota inquire about the $160 dollar "INSPECTION FEE" before they do warranty work.
Also, realize that you don't have to buy an extended warranty from the dealer you bought the car from. Call around and negotiate with the other similar brand dealerships, I dropped the price from $2400 dollars I was quoted to 895.00 with two phone calls.
Also, realize that you don't have to buy an extended warranty from the dealer you bought the car from. Call around and negotiate with the other similar brand dealerships, I dropped the price from $2400 dollars I was quoted to 895.00 with two phone calls.
Well I speak from a position of knowledge. First off, if you buy a new vehicle, decide if you are going to keep it past 3 years. If so, look at a known warranty product. We sell Zurich, they cover, do not have arbitrators come in and inspect the vehicle, you not do you have to keep records. Generally speaking warranty companies that do that, are looking for preexisting conditions to NOT cover repairs. Or find fault by you by not maintain proper care of the vehicle.
Second, if you buy a used vehicle, if you are going to keep it, you are crazy taking a "chance." I will write a extended warranty based on customers driving habits and time they plan to keep the vehicle. So I a customer drives 20k a year, a 6 year warranty is a waste. I will write something like a additional 4 year / 100k mile one. If they drive 10k or less, I will write a 7 year or so. Keep in mind the warranty also covers towing, lockout service, flat tire service, jumpstart, and pays the $100 PER hour labor rate. It is covered Nationwide, and you will never break down in your driveway, so it will come at a time of hardship. Piece of mind is worth it if wife or kids will be traveling without you or if you are not a wrench head.
One thing I do, and it really helps the customer, I will call the bank, negotiate a better rate, drop the customers rate a half point to help cover the payment difference. So instead of $25 extra, it ends up only being about $8-$10 difference, plus they get a better rate. Example, if the rate is 3.29% I will work the bank to get a 2.79% or so, then the warranty doesn't increase payment near as much, the customer wins both ways. Do not forget, if you buy a 6-7 year plan, if you trade the car or decide you do not want the warranty anymore, you can cancel it and get a prorated refund.
Some believe in it, some do not, but have a AC go out in July, or transmission or engine go. That $1200-$1400 will be the best money you ever spend. People will buy a $600 phone or $1000 lap top and get protection and it usually cost about 25% of the products value, but will spend $35000-$45000 on a car and not invest less than 5% to protect their automobile. Crazy.
Second, if you buy a used vehicle, if you are going to keep it, you are crazy taking a "chance." I will write a extended warranty based on customers driving habits and time they plan to keep the vehicle. So I a customer drives 20k a year, a 6 year warranty is a waste. I will write something like a additional 4 year / 100k mile one. If they drive 10k or less, I will write a 7 year or so. Keep in mind the warranty also covers towing, lockout service, flat tire service, jumpstart, and pays the $100 PER hour labor rate. It is covered Nationwide, and you will never break down in your driveway, so it will come at a time of hardship. Piece of mind is worth it if wife or kids will be traveling without you or if you are not a wrench head.
One thing I do, and it really helps the customer, I will call the bank, negotiate a better rate, drop the customers rate a half point to help cover the payment difference. So instead of $25 extra, it ends up only being about $8-$10 difference, plus they get a better rate. Example, if the rate is 3.29% I will work the bank to get a 2.79% or so, then the warranty doesn't increase payment near as much, the customer wins both ways. Do not forget, if you buy a 6-7 year plan, if you trade the car or decide you do not want the warranty anymore, you can cancel it and get a prorated refund.
Some believe in it, some do not, but have a AC go out in July, or transmission or engine go. That $1200-$1400 will be the best money you ever spend. People will buy a $600 phone or $1000 lap top and get protection and it usually cost about 25% of the products value, but will spend $35000-$45000 on a car and not invest less than 5% to protect their automobile. Crazy.
Also, there is no such thing as a "bumper to bumper" warranty. If a finance guys tells you that, walk away. Another huge mistake, buying a warranty over the phone from a stranger across the country. If you can not go and sit in front of the guy who sold you the warranty to discuss issues that may come up, you are better off passing on the protection. Hope this helps, any questions, feel free to ask.
Waits for Mrs. STG to come with her one line assault on me. But I can handle it, bitter people make me even more positive. Proven them wrong is a joy for me.
Waits for Mrs. STG to come with her one line assault on me. But I can handle it, bitter people make me even more positive. Proven them wrong is a joy for me.
Yeah, as much as I trust a used car salesmen, I usually like to look at various data to make an informed desiccation vs the possibility of a flame breathing dragon destroying my cars. Because hey, you never know?
From a quick google search, almost all people tell you not to buy one.
For example (from consumer reports):
Skip the extended warranty. The dealer will probably try hard to sell you one, telling horror stories about the thousands of dollars it can cost to replace an engine or transmission(see above posts). But the odds are you’ll never need the coverage, and even if you do, the money you’ll save in repairs won’t come close to what you paid for the added warranty.
A recent Consumer Reports survey found that 55 percent of owners who purchased an extended warranty hadn’t used it for repairs during the lifetime of the policy, even though the median price paid for the coverage was just over $1,200. And, on average, those who did use it spent hundreds more for the coverage than they saved in repair costs.
Among survey participants who used their policy, the median out-of-pocket savings on repairs covered by extended warranties for all brands was $837. Based on a $1,214 average initial cost, that works out to a net loss of more than $375.
Conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center in late 2013, the survey included responses from more than 12,000 Consumer Reports subscribers who purchased an extended warranty.
From a quick google search, almost all people tell you not to buy one.
For example (from consumer reports):
Skip the extended warranty. The dealer will probably try hard to sell you one, telling horror stories about the thousands of dollars it can cost to replace an engine or transmission(see above posts). But the odds are you’ll never need the coverage, and even if you do, the money you’ll save in repairs won’t come close to what you paid for the added warranty.
A recent Consumer Reports survey found that 55 percent of owners who purchased an extended warranty hadn’t used it for repairs during the lifetime of the policy, even though the median price paid for the coverage was just over $1,200. And, on average, those who did use it spent hundreds more for the coverage than they saved in repair costs.
Among survey participants who used their policy, the median out-of-pocket savings on repairs covered by extended warranties for all brands was $837. Based on a $1,214 average initial cost, that works out to a net loss of more than $375.
Conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center in late 2013, the survey included responses from more than 12,000 Consumer Reports subscribers who purchased an extended warranty.
I bought it on a Husqvarna Zero Turn mower a few years ago. Glad I did. The second summer using the mower the left side hydrostatic drive went out. Took them 6 wks to get it back to me, but it didn't cost me anything.