I've read some of the older threads about the pros and cons of getting an extended warranty. When I bought my new 8 yesterday, the BM at the dealer tried to pressure me into getting the Mazda EW. I instinctively said no, ( I don't like being pressured into anything) and I mistakenly hadn't thought about this ahead of time - I know, shame on me.

Anyway, after getting home (the drive was fantastic) I read the little brochure the salesman gave me and I started thinking maybe this is a good idea for a new, rotary powered Mazda. Since the dealers are just about the only people that will touch this engine, and maybe other systems just because they are in this "different" car, almost any repair out of warranty at a dealer is going to be VERY expensive. I'm assuminng (i know, that's dangerous) that a Mazda EW on the RX-8s is going to cover all of the unique rotary pieces as well as the general items. Even though some of the 3rd party EWs seem to get good ratings in the threads, I still wonder about the rotary items.

I'm looking for inplut from any of you that have experience or thoughts exclusively about the Mazda extended warranties - statedcare and totalcare- as they relate to the rotary RX-8 and its special needs. Also, what I should expect to see them charge for this coverage.

Thanks for your indulgence on a topic that has been covered in the past, but I think some of us new buyers might appreciate some updated input.

 

Come on all you other "old geesers" who responded to the other "mature guys" thread, some of you must have had this same problem.

Help me out here!

 

Oh well, I guess I'll have to take my chances. I thought after the response to the "baby boomer" thread that I would get a response. Guess not.

 

I got the EW.

 

I don't have experience with Mazda EW but I can tell you this: READ THE FINE PRINT and verify what's covered and what's not and under what circumstances will the EW be voided or not valid. Talk to the manager specifically about the rotary engine and how it's covered under the warranty and get everything in writing!

 

In my opinion, there is a large number of rotary engine rebuilders located all over the country. The RX-8 car will join the large club of cars already supported by these people. That may help soften the anticipated expenses involved with keeping the engines running forever. I don't know if having extended warranty coverage is worth it.

 

You should be able to purchase a good extended warranty on the open market for much less than the dealers try to ream you for. Use caution, but there are solid extended warranties available. Here's a good place to start researching, and I'm sure a few Google searches will reveal more.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/warrant...51%3A45%202005

 

Get the Mazda MEPP Total Care 7 yr warranty, depending on how much mileage you will be putting on. PM me and i'll give you name of dealer thats discounts MEPP warranties heavily. Don't buy anything other than Mazda warranty. Get the price from the dealer for Total Care administered by APCO--fully owned by Ford.

 

Grapes

Please look at your PMs. I'd like to talk to you.

Thanks

 

i would keep the rx8 forever if i had extended warranty
can i get it extended when my 48k miles are almost up or when if i buy it (lease)?

 

Kel, you can buy it but it will be more expensive than if you would have bought it in the beginning. Think about it, down the road, your car has 48K....things start breaking one after another (god forbid). You buy it when this happens, you think they are gonna let you have it at a cheap price? It's just like a life insurance, you think they will give you a good rate at the age of 65 :p (about to get fossilized and they luck out on paying off XXX amt, when the person only paid like 2 months).

Al

 

Grapes,

Please look at your PM!

 

If anyone knows of any dealers (or others) giving good pricing on the Mazda Totalcare EW, please PM me

Thanks

 

I actually own a very large extended warranty company called certified warranty we are backed by american guardian and re insured by hanover (3rd largest in the world) if you are looking for some quotes email me at my personal email Rx8joker@aol.com and i can go over some prices with you. We actually cover much more than the dealers do by also giving you roadside asst , car rental, and travel expenses if you break down while away from home. and oh yeah did I forget to mention we are about $1000 cheaper than the dealer.

 

Burnside81,

Thanks. See your e-mail

 

Just bought my second 2005. This dealer , however, tried to get me to buy the EW. When I was investigating my first car, I could get a 6 yr, 75000 which extended the 4yr 50000 by 2 yrs or 25000 miles whichever came first (guess which one will come first) for around $1600 from an independant writer.

$1600 can buy alot of little annoying broken parts, so its not worth it for small repairs.
$1600 (plus the $250 deductible PER REPAIR) can buy a couple big repairs too. Again not worth it.

Bank the money for a rainy day.

So back to the Business managers pitch... "you know this car has lots of whistles and bells and you certainly want them covered" (and they are fairly inexpensive to fix, also if they dont break in the first couple years will probably last at least 6).

Then the kicker which made me laugh.. " yeah, probably not worth it for the small stuff, but I would buy it for this.. (dramatic pause), you know this car has a rotary engine (really? I had know idea!) and I would be worried about its reliability"

HAHAHAHA, one of the most reliable engines I have ever owned. I couldnt help but roll my eyes. So no, I did not purchase the EW, again.

 

Still looking for a good deal on Mazda Totalcare EW. Grapes, please pm me.

 

Got an extended warranty one previous car, but never needed. Got one on another car and the insurance company went out of business. My 8 is a lease, so I figure if it begins to show a lot of problems, I let go of it. If not, I keep it, but the money I saved could be applied to repairs. After the huges outlays in the past, I might actually break even.

 

Got an online quote today from Warranty Direct for a 7/100K 0$ ded for $1900. It is a bumper-to-bumper exclusionary policy, including overheating damage, 24x7 roadside assistance, car rental reimbursement, travel interruption benefits, transferrable, and 60 day money back.

The exclusions include

Battery; shock absorbers; manual transmission clutch assembly; friction clutch disc & pressure plate; throw out bearing; manual and hydraulic linkages; GPS/navigation systems; safety restraint systems; glass; lenses; sealed beams; bulbs; brake rotors & drums; TV/video/game systems; weather strips; exterior body parts/ornamentation; paint; upholstery & carpet; tires; wheels/rims; phone systems; exhaust and emissions systems.

(Unless optional Emissions coverage has been purchased and indicated on membership card. See below for coverage)

Maintenance services and parts described in your vehicle's owner's manual as supplied by the manufacturer. (i.e. oil changes, tune-ups, brake pads, belts, hoses and spark plugs)


Does anyone have any experience with this company?

Thanks

 

Seems like alot of exclusions to me.

 

Not really. They are just items that you would normally expect to wear out with normal use, or items that wouldn't fail unless there was an accident (body panels, etc. ) These are not covered under your Mfg warranty either. The only one that could be a problem is the clutch. I would like to see that covered if it can be shown there was failure NOT due to abuse. Although, it is normally expected for a clutch to wearout also.

Otherwise, these seem to be pretty standard exclusions.

 

I looked into Warranty Direct also. Essentially they are guaranteeing items (drive train) not likely to break within 100K miles. Also, if they suspect ANY item broke due to neglect or abuse.... they will pay nada.

I dismissed them because I feel big ticket electrical items such as nav and safety systems should not be excluded.

 

I don't know which package of theirs you looked at, but the one I'm considering is an exclusionary, bumper-to-bumper program. In other words, everything on the car is covered EXCEPT the listed exclusions. They also have another upgrade that would cover the Nav system, DVD players, etc, but since I don't have them, I don't need it.

In looking at the contract, it seems this is every bit as comprehensive as the Mazda totalcare package, if not more so, and quite a bit cheaper. I think any warranty, 3rd party or Mfgr, will try to deny coverage if they can prove neglect or abuse. I'll just have to deal with that on a case by case basis.

 

I am also looking to buy a extended warr. and being a ford technician i warn you do not buy a aftermarket warranty they don't cover anything and if they do cover it that does not mean they are going to cover the full price. I was looking at mazda's warranty but I'm probably going to go with fords premiumcare so i can get paid to work on my own car (plus i'll be the one to make the decision on if its covered under warranty or not -- haha) either way stay away from a aftermarket warranty.

 

Well, I did it ayway! Warranty Direct, 7yr/100K mi, 0$ deductible, Exclusionary Warrranty, emissions components included, Rental car, 24hr roadside, etc, for $1875. May not be the best deal, but I hope it covers my needs when the time comes!