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My warranty has expired. Now what?

40 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2008 at 7:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Warranties

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 40 My warranty has expired. Now what? by tidester

Mar 16, 2008 (3:15 am)

I keep reading about folks who have just experienced a major mechanical problem with their car and, oh, by the way, the warranty has expired. The stress can be overwhelming when the replacement or repair is a big ticket item - like a broken transmission or cracked engine block.
 
Let's use this space to vent, share coping skills and commiserate and, especially, I'd like to hear about success stories and strategies that work in minimizing the damage to your finances.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#2 of 40 Re: My warranty has expired. Now what? [tidester] by oldfarmer50

Mar 16, 2008 (8:25 am)

Replying to: tidester (Mar 16, 2008 3:15 am)
I'm not a big fan of warranties. Just the fact that manufacturers offer them indicated that they think you will never get your money's worth out of them. I mean, if they thought they would have to pay out anywhere near the amount they charge they would have no incentive, right? The fact that they are willing to discount them proves my point.
 
Then there are the exclusions and deductibles. Most of these things have so many conditions on them that unless you are a lawyer you can't tell what is covered. Who needs that?
 
When I recently bought a new car they tried to sell me all the extras. To be polite I let the F & I woman give her pitch but really wasn't listening. Then as she finished up she ends with "And after the $1500 deductible you don't have to pay a penny".
My head spun around like in the Exorcist. I thanked her for her time and declined her offer.

#3 of 40 Re: My warranty has expired. Now what? [tidester] by isellit

Mar 16, 2008 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Mar 16, 2008 3:15 am)
Warranty on a car is similar to good health.
 
You do regular maintenance on a car and it should last 100k-125k miles without any major breakdowns if you have a fairly dependable model.
If you smoke, drink, have multiple partners and live life on the edge and avoid yearly checkups your body with fall apart and you will have poor health/dealth at an early age.
Many people buy life insurance because of their life style just like many people buy extended warranty for their lack of car maintenance.
Personally Id say if a car has been kept up and did not give you fits while in warranty there should be no need to buy an extended warranty when the factory warranty runs out. I would never buy an extended warranty on a new car, thats what the factory "free" warranty is for.

#4 of 40 Re: My warranty has expired. Now what? [isellit] by tidester

Mar 16, 2008 (10:45 pm)

Replying to: isellit (Mar 16, 2008 3:39 pm)
You do regular maintenance on a car and it should last 100k-125k miles without any major breakdowns ...
 
Of course, the operative word is "should." People who do take great care of their cars often experience warranty expired woes with serious problems.
 
If you smoke, drink, have multiple partners and live life on the edge and avoid yearly checkups your body with fall apart and you will have poor health/dealth at an early age.
 
Jim Fixx was the epitome of fitness and health and even he succumbed to clogged arteries at the ripe young age of 52. Nor did the exemplary diet and lifestyle save Euell Gibbons.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#5 of 40 tidester by michaell

Mar 17, 2008 (6:45 am)

You do regular maintenance on a car and it should last 100k-125k miles without any major breakdowns ...
  
Of course, the operative word is "should." People who do take great care of their cars often experience warranty expired woes with serious problems.
 
Tell me about it. In November of 2002 I bought a new 2003 Saturn L300. I elected not to get an extended warranty.
 
I have had all service performed by the dealer. Unfortunately, that hasn't prevented me from having to spend close to $3000 on repairs after the 3 year / 36K standard warranty expired:
 
2 Body Control Modules within 16 months of each other
Transmission axle seal
New rotors and calipers for the front brakes
 
The car now has almost 70,000 miles on it and is paid for. It's been over a year (knock on wood!) since anything has needed repair. I'm just hoping that I can nurse it along for another 2 or 3 years before I get something new.

#6 of 40 Re: My warranty has expired. Now what? [oldfarmer50] by mattandi

Mar 17, 2008 (8:25 am)

Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Mar 16, 2008 8:25 am)
Excluding extended or extra coverage from the equation, would you buy a new car if it did not have any new car warranty coverage?

#7 of 40 Re: tidester [michaell] by tidester

Mar 17, 2008 (10:06 am)

Replying to: michaell (Mar 17, 2008 6:45 am)
Michael,
 
I'm curious. How soon after your warranty expired did you get hit with those expenses?
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

#8 of 40 Re: tidester [tidester] by michaell

Mar 18, 2008 (8:43 am)

Replying to: tidester (Mar 17, 2008 10:06 am)
I'd have to review the receipts, but I think that the problems started about 6 months after the warranty expired - spring of 2006.
 
The first BCM replacement and brakes were done within a couple of months of one another. The axle seal and the second BCM were last year (2007).
 
Not much sympathy from the Saturn dealer, either.

#9 of 40 Re: tidester [michaell] by volvomax

Mar 18, 2008 (10:01 am)

Replying to: michaell (Mar 18, 2008 8:43 am)
Not much sympathy from the Saturn dealer, either.
 
I'm sorry, why should the dealer give you any sympathy??
 
YOU elected NOT to get the extended warranty.
That is a you problem, not the dealers fault.
 
The ONLY reason you shouldn't get an extended warranty is if you don't plan on keeping a car after the new car warranty period.
 
I don't care whop makes it. Modern cars are so complex that NONE of them will last like the old ones.
There are too many computers, relays and gadgets anymore.
Plus, all the same suppliers make components for everyone.

#10 of 40 Re: tidester [volvomax] by tidester

Mar 18, 2008 (11:26 am)

Replying to: volvomax (Mar 18, 2008 10:01 am)
I'm sorry, why should the dealer give you any sympathy??
 
I believe it was an observation and not a statement of expectation. I am curious to know what proportion of components have "mean time between failures" just beyond the duration of the basic manufacturer's warranty.
 
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

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