Extended warranty; buy it or not??

Instrument 39 · January 22, 2003

2000 Silverado LS, 5.3, all the bells and whistles. Just purchased it with 20K on the clock. I have until june before the warranty runs out. I am putting about 4K per month on average, more or less. Would you purchase a warranty on this truck if it were you and you drove this many miles? I got a cost for the warranty that is the same coverage as the factory offers with a $200 deductable for about $1100, mileage into 80k.

99silveradoz71 · January 23, 2003

The extendeds are hit or miss. Some get them and use them, others get them and don't, some pass on them and get hammered, others pass and luck out. It's a gamble no matter how you look at it. Is your truck a 4x4? If so, there is the potential for those components to wear as the miles get up there. I've got a 99 and I picked up a AAA 0 deductable extended on mine. No problems so far, the 2nd dealer I sometimes go to appears to be hurting for work, so they replaced the seat tracks at 43k with no questions asked and mentioned that it was warranty work...some creative writing I guess.

bassdog · January 23, 2003

You may want to check out these sites for a little homework

http://www.1sourceautowarranty.com/

http://www.warrantydirect.com/index.asp?^

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm

2000 GMC · January 23, 2003

I just did a quote with 1source and found I paid less with the dealer for the same warranty, 6/60 no deductible. If you want one check with the dealer even if it's a little more it might be worth it. It will be a GM warranty so there should be no questions asked if you have a problem.

CapnDean · January 23, 2003

I agree with 99 Silverado: Allow me to add that the odds favor the casino!

Why?

A) most cars once they are out of manufacturers standard warranty are good to go for the next 60K miles anyway. True manufacturer defects generally show up during the first 12K.

B) Warranty typically requires use of dealership for repair work. We all know that dealerships charge much more than do independent shops. Often your deductible would cover what it would cost the independent to do the whole job.

C) Wear and tear items are generally excluded, as are regular maintenary items... Just try to get ext warranty to do a brake job or whatever.

D) In order for ext warranty to HELP you, it has to HURT the warrantor (in a manner of speaking...for you to profit or "win" he has to "lose")...you think he is gonna take a losing bet?

Roll the dice skipper! Save your money....unless a surprise tranny job or motor swap would completely devastate you financially....I'd tak ethe odds that GM built it right.

elboberino · January 23, 2003

Roll the dice skipper! Save your money....unless a surprise tranny job or motor swap would completely devastate you financially....I'd tak ethe odds that GM built it right.

You see, that's exactly what I thought, but after my '95 Burb and it's third transmission by 50,000 miles, we were glad that the extended warranty was there. I am still considering getting it for my truck since I am only 6,000 miles away from losing my warranty.

By the way, anyone know if they will replace the container that holds the windshield washer fluid if it cracked because the -30* fluid you had in it froze?

Bob

bigkite · January 23, 2003

$200 deductable for about $1100, mileage into 80k.

Avoid the $200 deduct... It is not worth it. Shop around for an zero deduct if you really want/need an ext warranty.

I used my ext warranty a couple of times so far and each time it was under $200. So if there was a deduct, your warranty would be absolutely useless. Even if the repair was over $200, you still would have to pay the first $200 so the effective cost of your extended warranty would be $1300 even if you used it once. If you can find one with zero deduct at $1300, it would be a lot better.

Also check the fine print. Some companies will void your warranty if you put overside tires and/or a lift.

99silveradoz71 · January 24, 2003

Yes, zero deduct. less bs to go through.

Desperado · January 25, 2003

I got a zero deduct warranty through the dealer that is provided by an independent company but is honored by GM for around the same cost that you were quoted. If you go with the deductable, they can keep charging you for thier inefficiencies each time you take your truck in. I look at the ext. warrant as an insurance policy.