YACT: Extended Warrenty for cars. Suggestions?

[The Stigenator]

My 2000 focus is running out of warrenty in 20 days. I want to get the extended warrenty before the bumper to bumper goes away.

Question is what do I do living in CA. I thoguht there was some rule where i cant buy a third party extended warrenty. The dealer said i can buy it before the 3Yr/36K runs out. So that's the plan.

To get it with Ford, it would cost me 1700+ for the extended warrenty. But that only extends it to 5Yr/70K unless there is something i missed ( i will check the paper work).

So what do I do? WHo do I go with? Ford or some other company that is allowed to sell extended warrenty in CA.

The thing with teh ford one, the least hassles around, its a 50$ deductible but its teh least hassles in terms no paper work due.

so what do I do?

 

[desertdweller]

I personally wouldn't go with a 3rd party warranty. I was a tech at a couple of
different dealerships and more times than not people were unhappy with thier
warranty coverage from a 3rd party. The 3rd party's plan was generally much
tighter on what they would or would not cover and sometimes were a real
pain in the ass to deal with.

I'm not sure how good the Ford extended warranty is, but I would guess that
it will treat you better than a 3rd party's coverage.


DD

 

[Quixfire]

By all means the Ford ESP is the best in the business for after warranty protection, which is only insurance against abnormal wear or damage, and there are loopholes in all plans that could leave you wondering why you bought it in the first place.

Ask yourself, what could fail that would cost more than $1700 to replace and could it be prevented?

Is the prevention cost more than $1700?

I personally don't like these plans, but I am also my own mechanic.

 

[Evadman]

I have an extended warranty on my Zuk, and am glad I bought it. I bought it from chrysler (where I bought the zuk believe it or not) I negotiated the price down to $800 something. I have used it twice. Once for the front axle (the pumpkin cracked along with one 1/2 shaft) when I was teaching someone how to drive off road and the clutch was sidestepped in 4 wheel low at about 4k. The other wil be in a few days for the multifunction switch. The switch alone is $600 for me to buy, so I will bring it in for them to fix. I have made my $ back and then some.

the zuk had 50k on it when I bougth it, and the warranty went to just over 100,000 miles/ 4 years. not a bad deal. You may also want to check out your credit union. Mine offers an extended warranty for cheap, and if you do not use it, you get all your $ back at the end of the term. Sweet.

 

[The Stigenator]

i dont think the issue of 1700 dollars is in teh question here.. i dont mind spending that.. knowing if something major happens it will cover it int ehf irst shot.

I mean this is a car that had a hell lot of trouble in the beginning. the previous owner went thru 2 clutch / transmission related issues. So in a way another clutch related issue will be easy to go past what I paid.

Question is that ford has a whole set of levels for protection.. if so where do I draw the line. Do i get teh highest one or the mid level or the lowest.

Sometimes 3rd parties are better, but then only sometimes.

I will check with teh credit union on things.

 

[woowoo]

offer them $1500
they will probably bite
all things are negotiable

 

[The Stigenator]

i will talk to galipn ford or star ford tommorow or next week.. my car is due for service..

 

[Epoman]

I just bought a New 2003 Camry V6 XLE ($700 Below Invoice, But thats another LONG story) Anyway
Extended warrentys are worth, it in finance they hit me with $1495.00 for it but me previously being a
car salesman I knew better I told him look I'll give 100.00 over your cost, SO I got it for $770 not bad my
new coverage is 7years/75,000 miles instead of 3years/36,000.

 

[GroundedSailor]

The only third party offering extended warranties in CA is 1sourceautowarranty. Check them out and do your research before buying any one.

For third party make sure you check out their performance on BBB.

 

[Purgatory-Z]

It's a focus, don't bother with the warranty. Put the $1700 in an interest bearing account and use it for a down payment on a new car. Before the warranty runs out, get a complete check up done on the car to verify there are no existing problems. If there are, get it covered under warranty. If not, no big deal and you just saved $1700.

My ford tempo went 150k miles without as much as a scratch in the paint =).

 

[Vette73]

Take the 1700 and put into a CD or account. Use this money for repairs. If you keep up with maintaince in the end you will have more money.

 

[The Stigenator]

I would like to do that, but I dont think so.. mine is a 2000 focus.. and its had a long list of things done to it..

its a reliable car, its just once the quirks were taken out it runs really good. Anyway this car has had some trannsmission trouble int eh past so I rather not go uncovered.

I will talk to teh finance guy to give it to me for 100-200 over cost.