Chrysler Service Contracts

[jhpfennig]

Has any of the TDR membership had a good or bad experience with Chrysler service contracts ? I own a 2005 3500 4x4 with 75,000 current miles. I've had several warranty issues over the years which were covered by the original warranty. Unfortunately my coverage is due to expire next month. I'm not in a position to do my own repairs and am considering extended warranty.



The two plans that Chrysler offers are:

Added Care Plus covers 800 items

2 yr/30,000 mile/$100 deductible coverage cost is $1,830

3 yr,45,000 mile/$100 deductible coverage cost is $2,295



Maximum Care covers 5,000 items

2 yr/30,000 mile/$100 deductible coverage cost is $2,478

3 yr/45,000 mile/$100 deductible coverage cost is $3,083



My dealer recommends the Maximum Care plan as there are no "grey areas" when it comes to coverage.



I plan on keeping my truck another 3 years. I tow a 39' 5er to Florida each winter otherwise the truck is used for transportation only.



What do you suggest I do ?



As always, I appreciate your help,



John Pfennig

 

[Bob4x4]

These care is a good punt of coverage,but there are things that are not covered. Read what is covered. Do not buy into the bumper to bumper sales pitch without doing your research. Also the price is also negotiable just like the purchase price of your truck

 

[rscurtis]

Put the almost $100/month for the best plan aside and take your chances. I bought an extended warranty for my '95, and anything that broke either would not have been covered or broke after the warranty. I passed on it for my '03 and I'm way ahead of the game. The '05 has a pretty good track record and as long as you're not sled pulling on the weekends and loading it up with "magic black boxes" (HB gets credit for that), you should come out ahead also.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Those prices are after a hefty markup by the dealer. Offer them $1k to $1200 and stand your ground. They won't be happy but figure it's better to make $50 to a few hundred dollars than nothing.
I've done this with every car and truck I've bought and have always won.

I will add this though, if you don't put many miles on it then it won't be worth it. On my old 93 it paid for itself and then some but on my 03 is was a complete waste of money.

 

[jhpfennig]

Thanks for the replies. What I failed to mention was that I need ball joints @ $1000 parts & labor and the turn signal switch replaced @ ?. I figure I've already paid for 1/2 of the warranty with these 2 items. I've already had a injector replaced @ $700 under warranty. Does this change anyone's thinking ?

 

[seafish]

Shop online for the same contract that you want from a Chrysler/Mopar dealership that ALSO has internet sales. .
I didn't paymore then $2400 for a 7 year/100k Max Care plan with $100 deductible. It is the SAME plan, but sold at a substantial discount.
I can look up who I got it from this evening if you want the info.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Dealer cost for the max care should be in the neighborhood of 1800. It's usually a 100% mark up on the Max care contracts. Hope this helps.

 

[jhpfennig]

I would appreciate the name of the dealership where you purchased your Max Care plan. What was your mileage at the time of purchase ? Are you happy with the plan coverage ? Thanks.



ps: I'd be willing to call you tonite if you wouldn't mind. My Verizon cell phone # is 716-628-5886. I live near Buffalo, NY.

 

[jhpfennig]

Yes it does help. When I sold extended warranty policies for International trucks, we had a 100 % markup also. Sometimes I made more on the warranty than the truck sale.



Thanks again

 

[seafish]

I would appreciate the name of the dealership where you purchased your Max Care plan. What was your mileage at the time of purchase ? Are you happy with the plan coverage ? Thanks.

ps: I'd be willing to call you tonite if you wouldn't mind. My Verizon cell phone # is 716-628-5886. I live near Buffalo, NY.

Even though I am in California, I got mine with excellent customer service from Karen Chlosta at 413-594-4723, at

TOPOR Dodge Motor Sales
650C Memorial Dr
Chicopee, MA 01020

I DON'T know if they are still in biz, but once you own the Chrysler MaxCare Warranty, you are covered by ANY Chrysler Service Center.

Be sure to ask for the best price available on the different service contracts available that you are looking at.

 

[jelag]

Over the past 10 years I've owned at least 5 trucks and would run them for 500K miles... My current truck is an 05 and at 140K miles I've not spent any money that would have been covered by one of these warranties... I think they are a waste of money... think about this... . the dealer must make 30% of this fee that leaves Chrysler with the rest of the funds. . and with that amount of money... they profit from it...

Just my thoughts. .

 

[jhpfennig]

Thanks for the info. I'll try them tomorrow. Will let u know how I make out.

 

[jhpfennig]

Unfortunately they are no longer in business. Probably were eliminated when Chrysler downsized their dealer network. Anyone else you can think of that is selling contracts at a good price ?

 

[seafish]

That's too bad, Karen at TOPOR was super easy and qualified to deal with.



I have NOT had any experience with ANY of these guys, so cannot comment on customer service,

but a quick google search comes up with--



http://www.chryslerwarrantys.com/maximum_care.cfm



http://www.chryslerfactorywarranty.net/chrysler-warranty/



http://chryslerwarrantys.com/



PLEASE be SURE that you are getting an honest Chrysler MaxCare warranty from these guys, not some aftremarket warranty.

Also, the last link came with a plug from someone on chargerforums.com, but again I have NO personal experience with the quality or legitiamcy of ANY of the above links.



Still, you should be able to get a no obligation quote from them and then research the comapny further by googling their name in quotes and adding "fraud" and "complaint" in your search query. That should take you to any links of people who have had problems with the comany and [posted about it somewhere.

ALSO, If someone pushes you hard to accept their offer on the FIRST phone call, I would NOT buy from that salesperson, but instead continue to shop around. Pushy salespeople makes me think somehthing is not right, but that's just my . 02.



Let us know what you find out!!

 

[DeezelDood]

When my TIPM failed it was covered on Max Care, so was my AC blend door breakage. To date I'm about even on what I paid for the contract. The engine is covered up to 100k miles but I don't know if that covers expensive circuit boards. If you drive a lot of miles the contract is probably no worth it, the mileage will expire way before the contract period. Conversely, if you drive average or low miles it may be worth it. Problems with any vehicle, especially control systems, are more likely over time. Keep in mind, aftermarket mods can void the warranty. When my AC door broke the dealer tried to make a fuss about my gages. I have no performance mods but he saw the gages and assumed I did. Shop for a dealer on warranty issues if you get resistance. I did, and found one that was more cooperative.

 

[jhpfennig]

When my TIPM failed it was covered on Max Care, so was my AC blend door breakage. To date I'm about even on what I paid for the contract. The engine is covered up to 100k miles but I don't know if that covers expensive circuit boards. If you drive a lot of miles the contract is probably no worth it, the mileage will expire way before the contract period. Conversely, if you drive average or low miles it may be worth it. Problems with any vehicle, especially control systems, are more likely over time. Keep in mind, aftermarket mods can void the warranty. When my AC door broke the dealer tried to make a fuss about my gages. I have no performance mods but he saw the gages and assumed I did. Shop for a dealer on warranty issues if you get resistance. I did, and found one that was more cooperative.

Thanks for the advice. I found 2 online places that sell Maximum Care and they are within $18 of each other. I'm trying to buy from my local dealer if he can match the price. I'm a little leery of buying from an outfit I don't know.



Thanks again

 

[seafish]

That's a good idea to buy from your dealer... I'll bet he can at least come close to matching the price... it's not as if it costs him anymore, he just doesn't make as much mark-up!!

Thanks for the advice. I found 2 online places that sell Maximum Care and they are within $18 of each other. I'm trying to buy from my local dealer if he can match the price. I'm a little leery of buying from an outfit I don't know.

Thanks again

 

[jhpfennig]

I ended up purchasing the Maximum Care warranty from my local dealer. I could have saved the sales tax by buying out of state but felt it was more important to maintain a close relationship with my dealer in case of something that might not be covered. All were quoted with a 36 month/36,000 mile/$100 deductible plan. The pricing was as follows:



Sudbay Automotive Group Glouchester, Ma. 877-733-7832 % Joe Vito -- email address removed -- $2,795



My local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer $2,805 + $224 sales tax



Eau Claire Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep Eau Claire, WI 888-918-9840 www.chryslerwarrantys.com $2,834



Mullane Motors Lockport, NY 716-625-9191 % Brittany Cocca -- email address removed --



Thanks to everyone for their imput. I really appreciate it !