I bought my GM
As someone who previously worked as a Warranty Manager, extended warranties are a big money maker for anyone selling them (if you know what I am trying to say).....I would never ever never buy an extended warranty. Waste of money..
Seriously, what new vehicle these days can’t go 100k without any major issues? All of them...even a Dodge can go that long.
Never understand someone negotiating down the purchase price of a vehicle and then get suckered into an extended warranty...
I used to be this same way. I hated extended warranties with a passion and thought they were a giant waste of money.
Bought my current truck with 36k miles on it, and the dealership tossed in an aftermarket "bumper to bumper" warranty for free. Was the "compromise" they made after I got the price down from $39k to $36k, and wanted to drop to $35k. They came back with a free warranty "Worth $1,800", but stuck to the $36k price. Since I wasn't paying for it, I took it, and went on my way since the $36k was close enough for me.
Truck had 36k miles on it when I bought it, so the factory warranty had just expired. Had my first issue with the truck that required service with tools I don't own. A/C went out at 73k miles. I took it into the local dealership with that problem, as well as a trailer brake system fault, leaky 3rd brake light, rattly/clicking seat rail, vibration at 75mph, and tailgate latch that was not working properly. Explained the extended warranty situation and let them get moving. Took 2 days to diagnose everything. Then another 5 days to have a warranty rep come out and approve the charges. Once approved another 5 days to get parts, get them installed, and test. The only thing not covered by the extended warranty was the 3rd Brake Light Gasket. A/C, Seat, Tailgate, and Trailer Sensor was all covered. Over $2,800 in parts/labor from the dealership. Only $125 out of my pocket......Clearly the warranty saved me some money there.
WITH THAT SAID. It was a giant PIA to deal with the warranty company. They fought to not cover a few things, and won on the gasket. They might not cover the next thing either. The dealership put me in a loaner for the 16 calendar days the truck was out of my possession, and the warranty company only authorized 2 days of rental coverage. Again, it was a giant PIA, but monetarily worth it. Lots of time spent on the phone and emails getting things approved/coordinated.
The honest savings are not $2,800 either. I could have fixed the sensor and seat track for less money. The A/C I don't have the tools to do, so SOMEONE else was going to do that. The vibration was a wheel balance issue I'm having fixed on my own, and the tailgate was just an adjustment. I would say in "normal person dollars" not "dealership dollars" I probably saved around $1k or so.
We don't have an extended warranty on the Nissan Rogue in the driveway......yet. If she likes it enough to keep it past the warranty then we'll probably get one though. I'll be doing a TON of research on that when the time comes.
NOW.....a question......Anyone have much experience with the Certified Pre-Owned programs? I know not all are created equal, and some manufacturers will have better programs than others. Friend just bought a used Audi S6. It's an amazing car, and he sought out a CPO car as the means to get extended coverage on what could be a very expensive to fix 450hp TT V8 engine, and the complicated Quattro driveline. Not to mention the significant amount of electronics in that car. He's only had it a few months, so I'm curious to see how that works out for him.
