Extended warranty or not?

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WaterBoy1

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My extended warranty (gold - here in Canada 7 years/160,000km) paid for itself this winter. Thermostat went out, was on backorder for 9 weeks. Warranty paid for the rental (1500 classic 4x4) for the entire time. The rental bill alone more than paid for the cost of the warranty.

I've had other repairs as well under warranty. Just had ball joints done.

It's simple planning. Not for everyone I suppose. Sure you can go ahead and invest that money. Make a few bucks. Then when the repairs start to add up, you can spend all of it again. With buying the warranty from the start, you're one and done. Dont need to worry about paying out of pocket as long as its valid.

Different strokes for different folks. That's just my take on warranties.

Cheers

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RLJ10X

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Warren Buffet owners GEICO, along with a lot of other companies. And yeah, he' pretty sharp.

You always hear from the minority that comes out ahead on these things. The warranty companies must love the free advertising. You never hear from the majority that don't cash out.

Bet on yourself. Keep your own money. Invest it if you choose. The odds will be in your favor. Be your own warranty. Money in the bank is a good thing.
 

Chumba

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Why can’t a guy do both? I have no problem spending the money on an extended warranty, even with a mechanic in the family and years of automotive experience. The hassle and time of fixing things myself isn’t worth it.

I also invest wisely, and those gains allow me to spend a little extra money for the peace of kind.
 

Retiring Don

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I shied away from buying the extended warranty when I bought my new 2019 Ram late last year solely because when I asked if it was transferable if the truck was totaled and they said no. Would hate to see $3K go down the drain if I get t-boned by some dummy in the first years of ownership. I plan on keeping my truck for more than 3 years /36K miles so will re-evaluate the need when I approach that milestone. Just something else to consider.
 

NorthStar1

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Maybe I’m missing something. Why would you transfer an extended warranty on a totaled vehicle? For what purpose? Simply cancel the extended warranty once notified by the insurance company that it is being totaled and take the prorated refund from FCA. You’ll get a good chunk of it back in a prorated refund.
 

PapaCap

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Insurance: The transfer of risk for a fee. If you don't mind paying for a problem don't get the insurance. If you do, then get the insurance. Also, don't listen to contributors who state things like "Don't ever go with a third party" or "...3rd. party garbage that will cover little to nothing." I've had two extended warranties from third parties that worked great, gave me great service, wasn't an issue working with the dealer, and most importantly, paid for the repair. Absolutes like "Always and never" usually get you in trouble. These new trucks (and all cars for that matter) have sooooo many electronic components that can be very expensive to diagnose and repair it may be worth the upfront dough on an extended warranty. As some have mentioned READ THE FINE PRINT to avoid surprises. At the end of the day I subscribe to the Caveat Emptor theory.
 

OMW2SKI

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I shied away from buying the extended warranty when I bought my new 2019 Ram late last year solely because when I asked if it was transferable if the truck was totaled and they said no. Would hate to see $3K go down the drain if I get t-boned by some dummy in the first years of ownership. I plan on keeping my truck for more than 3 years /36K miles so will re-evaluate the need when I approach that milestone. Just something else to consider.

It is not transferable BUT the MOPAR Lifetime Maxcare service contract I purchased is partially refundable on a prorated basis for, I believe, the first 8 years / 100K miles.

RLJ10X sounds more like Dave Ramsey the Warren Buffet, lol. I used to buy into that crap. But Dave Ramsey is a d***head peddling personal opinions as scripture to gullible Evangelicals. I know, I was one. I even led/taught one of his classes. I'm neither scared nor broke. But I plan on keeping my truck for a while and figure, somewhere along the line, I'll be into repairs at last $2300 or $2400.
 

JoeCo

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I have a question for you extended warranty guys, when you need something fixed can you just take it in and tell them and they fix it? Or is it the same BS routine as normal warranty work, where you have to bring it in first for diagnosis, and then schedule a second date to fix it. I can't stand that process and making 2 trips for one problem, especially when you know what the problem is going in. Or if they do use that process, do they just give you a rental/loaner so you aren't inconvenienced with multiple dealer trips for one problem, every time?

I've never had an extended warranty before, I like to play out most of my time under the factory warranty and then move on not too long once they are out of warranty. If I was going to keep one of these newer rams for 8-10 years I'd probably look into one, cause in my experience my trucks were starting to have problems that I didn't want to deal with when I got rid of them, at 72k and 53k on my 11/13 rams. I plan on keeping my 17 til its hits around 60k and then it'll most likely be gone.
 

Jrod

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Firstly, the best decision you made was not buying it direct from your dealer without researching your options. You can still buy or even finance your warranty here: https://www.chryslerwarrantydirect.com/

What I’ve learned. You will save even more money buying it outright through Ziegler. At least the link above will show you what’s currently available. Also, policies go up a couple of hundred dollars after 12k miles. You can purchase anytime between 4 years and 48k miles.
 

Jrod

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I have a question for you extended warranty guys, when you need something fixed can you just take it in and tell them and they fix it? Or is it the same BS routine as normal warranty work, where you have to bring it in first for diagnosis, and then schedule a second date to fix it. I can't stand that process and making 2 trips for one problem, especially when you know what the problem is going in. Or if they do use that process, do they just give you a rental/loaner so you aren't inconvenienced with multiple dealer trips for one problem, every time?

I've never had an extended warranty before, I like to play out most of my time under the factory warranty and then move on not too long once they are out of warranty. If I was going to keep one of these newer rams for 8-10 years I'd probably look into one, cause in my experience my trucks were starting to have problems that I didn't want to deal with when I got rid of them, at 72k and 53k on my 11/13 rams. I plan on keeping my 17 til its hits around 60k and then it'll most likely be gone.

Maxcare works just like your factory warranty minus a 1 or $200 deductible. Most people go with the $100 option. I purchased mine for the long haul since I drive a lot. I grabbed the 7y unlimited mileage warranty at 46k miles when it was still available. It has already covered my fuel management system and master cylinder just shy of 50k miles. In short, mine has nearly paid for itself and I’ll still ride out the warranty until July 30th 2023.
 

JoeCo

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Maxcare works just like your factory warranty minus a 1 or $200 deductible. Most people go with the $100 option. I purchased mine for the long haul since I drive a lot. I grabbed the 7y unlimited mileage warranty at 46k miles when it was still available. It has already covered my fuel management system and master cylinder just shy of 50k miles. In short, mine has nearly paid for itself and I’ll still ride out the warranty until July 30th 2023.

Thanks for the info! So do they provide a loaner for this process or is it pretty much always multiple trips? Either way, glad that it has worked out for you so far, although it kind of sucks that stuff was necessary so early. As I said, by 50-60k I'm already thinking of moving on because of things like this that I see.
 

Jrod

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Thanks for the info! So do they provide a loaner for this process or is it pretty much always multiple trips? Either way, glad that it has worked out for you so far, although it kind of sucks that stuff was necessary so early. As I said, by 50-60k I'm already thinking of moving on because of things like this that I see.


No worries, thanks!

Yep, the dealer gave me a loaner from enterprise on both occasions.

EDIT: Correction, I got a loaner for the fuel management system. The master cylinder only took a couple of hours.
 

208Hardrock

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If you plan on keeping it as you said and only using on weekend get warranty! I put low miles on my 2013 3500 with CTD so do not add DEF, but once every couple years. It goes bad and causes problems with emissions. One moth after my factory expired I had emissions problems to the tune of $3500.
 

boblonben

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Go to the FCA extended Warrantee web site, they will quote you a better price for the same factory warrantee. I did that on my 2016 and 2017 truck. Saved nearly $650 on each policy. The warrantee is issued out of a dealership in Michigan who does this for FCA. Don't do any third party ones, do not know anyone who has had good luck with these/
 

Floyd1979

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I have a question for you extended warranty guys, when you need something fixed can you just take it in and tell them and they fix it? Or is it the same BS routine as normal warranty work, where you have to bring it in first for diagnosis, and then schedule a second date to fix it. I can't stand that process and making 2 trips for one problem, especially when you know what the problem is going in. Or if they do use that process, do they just give you a rental/loaner so you aren't inconvenienced with multiple dealer trips for one problem, every time?

Well here is my 2 cents
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 crewcab Rambox hemi.
Came with lifetime power train, purchased max care lifetime warranty for the rest.
427, 650 on the clock
Original power train. Rear axle recalled 2x . Both wheel bearings went out 1st , 2 wd
Nothing happened till around 225,000 water pump, fuel pump
I do around 45,000 a year

Yes on your question on warranty work . Take it in and they will have to diagnose what’s wrong , call warranty for approval.
 

odinjunior

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I just brought home a new 2018 2500 Laramie with CTD. I'm new to the RAM brand, and not familiar with consistent issues that might be common knowledge for a lot of you. The dealer offered an 84 month warranty with 110K miles for about $2,500. I didn't take it, but I'm wondering if I should go back and do it?

My plan for the truck is to use it as a weekend vehicle for hauling dirtbikes, farm supplies and materials and occasional towing. In my mind I'll be keeping this truck until it's worn out, and with weekend only use, that'll likely be 10-15 years.

With all that in mind is an extended warranty good insurance against later problems, or just a waste of money?

Buy the Warranty from Zeigler if you have the bucks. To me it is worth the peace of mind. Mines a 6.4 so I bought 8 Yr/ 125.000 Miles with 0 deductible. Yeah the 0 deductible cost more but now I will never worry about taking it in.
 

RLJ10X

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38,000 miles on a 2014.

Wouldn't the 5 year, 100,000 mile original warranty cover that?
 

DeckArtist

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On yours the five year is up this year depending on the date of sale.


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