My dealer is offering something called a Wear Care Plan for $595. This covers all wear and tear items up to a total value of $2500 including tires. There is no time limit.

Pros:
Most people will easily spend $750 on tires every 12-18 months so this plan pays for itself very quickly.
Also increases residual by 1% if you lease from Mazda (still too pricey)

Cons:
Need to find another $595 up front.


Any thoughts?

 

I would have to read the "fine" print before I decided if it's a good plan.

If it is stated that factory specification or better items are replaced it may be good. One reason being that the tires have a low tire wear rating and wouldn't want the tires replaced with a much higher rating subsequently reducing the performance...

 

That is actually quite nice...basically you're spending the money now knowing you'll use it throughout the life of the car.

The only thing I'd be skeptical of is that the plan forces you to use the dealer for purchase and installation, well at the very least purchase, of said items. We all know how much dealers like to raise prices above what you could get elsewhere.

However, in the end, you know you could spend $600 on four new tires + install & alignment for this car at a reasonable place...so even at the most rediculous gouging, you still get at least one tire replacement for your money. If you get two plus some brake pads or something you've made back your money and then some.

Also, in the couple years you'll be needing tires and brakes, can you make the $600 work for you (stocks, etc) and equal $2500? If so, keep it and make it work for you...otherwise, let the dealer play with it and know that you have a $2500 "maintain your car" fund.

 

Are you sure there is no time limit? What about mileage? If this does inlcude tires without time or mileage limits then it's a no brainer. BUT ask him how much they charge for tires. If it's MSRP then that is usually double the cost on the street.

 

I didn't have a chance to get details, but it was clearly stated there was no time limit. There may be a mileage limit. I will get more info during my next test drive on Friday/Monday.

Does anyone who works at a dealership know more about this?

 

Is there a deductable like they have with insurance? It might be you pay the first 25%...

 

wear care is a product that is offered by Mazda (not the dealership) hence the discount on the money factor or residule ( I believe what it actually does is waive the security deposit and has a lower money factor (by lower, I mean Mazda charges another .00015 money factor if wear care is not included) not residule). What is does is cover any damages tires, scratches, stains in interior, etc. at vehicle turn in. When your lease is over basically, it does not help with maintenace throught your lease. If you are not planning on keeping the vehicle it is a great product to get, if you are 80%+ sure that you are going to refinance the remainder and keep the vehicle, it might not be of any bennifit to you. The advantage of it is however, in either case, lets say that something happens to your new RX8 that you did not expect to, or life style changes don't allow you to keep the vehicle at end of lease, you are protected against any non normal wear and tear of the vehicle, and yes, tires are covered. On a side note, I just found out today that the tires on the RX8 are very specific for this car and at this time are only availabe at one dealer in the nation (they have a set of 4 to overnight anywhere as needed) they are working on a remedy to this now. .... wow I got sidetracked there, hope that answers your question about wear care.

Richard

P.S. there is a mileage limit to this, it is higher than what you are allowed on your lease miles but I do not know the exact amount, if needed I can find out for anyone interested.

 

Becareful, many companies like BMW have a similiar program. Some things are replaced when they wear. But others will only be replaced at specified times.

So, if the tires wear out "prematurely" you need to wait or shell out your own money.

There is also the dreaded, "normal use" clause. If they claim the accelerated wear is caused by misuse then they won't cover it. Track the car and they have the perfect excuse.


Well what is written above makes my suggestion irrelevant, since this is a different program:D

 

The Wear Care policy that is issued on leases is basically an insurance for covering things like door dinges, scratches, etc. that you would normally have to pay for when you turn a lease in. It will not cover the cost of tires during the course of the lease. Now when you turn the car in, if the tires are worn past the point of not bing able to pass inspection, it would probably cover that as long as there are no other problems with the car that would need to be covered. When you take this, the security deposit should be waived, which would be the next $50 above your payment. Example: pmt $500 deposit $550. If you consider you won't be paying the security deposit upfront, it's really not going to cost you much. The dealer might also try to sell you a road hazard policy on the tires, but that won't cover wear either. Our particular dealership offers a Tires for Life program that will replace worn tires, but of course there is always a catch: All your servicing has to be done here. Still, if your going to maintain the warranty properly, you would probably have the servicing done at the dealer anyway. Check with your dealer to see if they offer a program like that.

 

Sounds like I want the Tires for Life option as I tend to keep my leased cars in pristine condition and so would not benefit from Wear Care. Do you offer that Richard? Also what is unusual about the tires and wheels - I thought the tires were just Bridgestone RE040s.

 

What is so special about Bridgestone RE040's?

 

Hmmmmm..I've heard this before. The E46 M3 being the latest. Usually it means the compound is a bit different from the retail tire, but not the fitment.

Maybe this time it's different, but I'm skeptical.

 

RX8 Tire treadwear 140!....Yikes

 

Is it for labor of installation or only parts?

Keep in mind that you have a 4 year warranty on parts/labor for everything but naturally wearable items (such as brakes, tires, oil, gas, etc).

 

HOGWASH! Utter BS if you ask me.

 

No, my dealership does not offer tires for life, but with the dealers that do, there is always a catch, nothing unfortunately is free. As for what is special, other than the raised edges I know of nothing, however, with more research, I have found that the same brand of tire is on the Mazdaspeed and it also has the raised edges to protect the wheel. So, I do not have a deffinate answer as to whether the stock tire is different than that available from aftermarket. I do know the reason for needing that specific type of tire is to protect the wheel and the tire pressure sensor that is on the wheels themselves. Once again, I am still learning about this car as we play with it here and have training classes, I am just trying to pass along what Mazda is telling us.


Richard

 

Those raised edges don't actually do much protecting - the wife's '02 Miata's OEM tires have them too, but within a week we'd managed to inflict kerb damage on a rim without hurting the tire.