If i have the regular warranty right now and i wanted to upgrade to an extended warranty what kind of warranty upgrades can i get how long do they last and do they cover the engine? and how much would it cost?

Thanks
-Ryan

 

Uh, dude, do an interenet search for this kind of question. There are too many variables for someone to answer for you on here except for people saying what they bought at the dealer which they usually got ripped off for. Most extended warrenties are NOT worth it. If it makes you feel better get one but consider putting the money in an a special account that you would spend on the warrenty. Remember most of these are sold knowing the person will not keep the car as long as the warrenty and they know the in most cases they come out ahead of the game.

 

This extended warranty thing presents some interesting conundrums. I can't speak to places other than the greater Denver area market, but here's my experience so far:

I purchased my car used, with @ 5,000 miles on it in July or 2004. The car came with the balance of the factory warranty (4 yrs from it's "in service" date, which in my case I think was @ February '04, or 50,000 miles which ever comes first.)

In checking with, so far, three different dealers, I've basically been given three different stories:

1. McDonald Mazda, would like to sell me their particular favorite carrier's extended warranty insurance provide by/through "CNA National Warrranty Corporation." Unfortunately under "exclusions" the CNA policy potentially excludes coverage of "YOUR Vehicle if it has been modified with any alterations tot he powertrain, the suspension (including tire or wheels sizes or offsets) or the exhaust system not approved by the manufacturer of YOUR VEHICLE." Not sure where that would put, just as an example (a) after market wheels, (b) light weight flywheel not supplied by MazdaSpeed, (c) big brake kit(s) or (d) Tien coil over suspension parts vis-a-vis the entire vehilce. Various version of this, would apply to repairs at "licensed repair facility" (I'm told this would NOT have to be a Dealership ~ available to "new" and "near new" and used vehicles with less than 80,000 miles. Includes rental car coverage up to $245; unreimbursed towing charges; overnight travel lodging upto $225. There are several deductible schemes available, but the quote I got for the Rx8 to extend coverage for an additional 3 years/100,000 miles ranged from $1598 to $1748, depending on the deductible plan picked.

2. From the dealership I purchased the car used, Gaeway. They offered a "Mazda" policy. Two versions quoted, (a) something the brochure calls "PowerCare" &/or "PrimayCare" coverage plans ~ these were going to run something @ $1,766 to add 36 months / 36,000 to the mfg basic warranty periods with a $100 deductible. Gateway also offered a "TotalCare" which would cover everything under "statedcare" coverage AND more, for (and bless her little heart, the finance person actually blinked when she said it) only $4,094 to add 48 months and 48,000 additional miles to the mfg base warranty. She admited she didn't expect to sell many of these. Interesting enough, I asked what the same package for , say a Mazda6 or even MazdaSpeed6 would cost. The Speed6 wasn't specifically in her quote sheets/book yet, but a V6 Mazda6 extended totalcare warranty she said would be roughly half, yes only $2,000 +/- what they wanted for the same coverage for the Rx8. Hummmm what does Mazda know, if anything, we don't? What are they not telling us if in fact that kind of difference is true?

3. Finally the Burt dealership finace people offered at least two (2) possible extended warranty options. One, their "preferred" choice, is that you take them up on their own apparently inhouse brand through the Burt Automotive Network ~ 100,000/6 year from date of first service (other time spans are apparently available too) for $1,605. This would be a "standard care" type policy covering engine, transmission, axle etc., powertrain components, steering, brakes, not including pads/rotors fluids, A/C and basic electrical, alternator, wipers, power seats heater etc. Doesn't cover regular service maintenace items like wiper blades, coolant, batttery, pads, filters or "squeaks or rattles."

Alternatively, Burt could also offer a line of Ford Extended Service Plans, e.g. Ford ESP "Premium Care" ~ 6yrs from in service date or 100,000 miles for @ $2,650 to $2,365

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear about anyone elses thoughts or experiences with, or insights on the do's or don'ts of extended warranties. I had one that came with a purchase deail on a used Audi @ 14 years ago. The Extended Warranty had been purchased by the prior owner of the car, and came with the vehicle when I bought it. The warranty itself was from some 3rd party insurer, not Audi. Fortunately for me, the policy had been sold to the PO by the dealership I purchased the car from, and as a part of the used car deal they, the dealership made representations to me that they would "stand behind the policy...." etc. since they had sold it and believed the 3rd party insurer to be a "quality product." Well, as it turned out, the insurer (someplace out of Texas IIRC) wasn't such a quality product, but the dealership was more or less "quality" and took care of the problems with the car and the warranty coverage. The story would have turned out differently if I hadn't been able to take the car back to the dealer for the warranty claims however.

Anyway PM if anyone has any better insights into the apparently less than clear, say obtuse world of extended warranties, aftermarket or otherwise.

Cheers
mike
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