2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Comments on purchasing Extended Warranty

[fkovalski]

I know that many in TDR land “are their own warranty stations. ” I would very much like to get back into turning wrenches as a hobby and to bomb, upgrade, improve etc… on my truck. But time is a factor and I do not have a garage (and it’s still very much winter here at 10,000 ft. ) I received a post card from Corporate Dodge selling warranty service contracts and am wondering about purchasing the extended warranty for my truck. There are two diesel options that I am considering: Diesel Max Care- code DA5100K ($2590) and Diesel Added Care-code DM5100K ($1916) Both would extend coverage to a total of 5 years/ 100K miles from in service date and both have a $50 deductible. The Max Care is basically creating a bumper- to- bumper coverage similar to the standard 3/36. The Added Care covers a significant number of major components (according to the brochure) including but not limited to electrical, fuel system, steering & suspension. I would lean towards the Added Care option if I choose to purchase a coverage plan. I have 35,300 miles on the truck now. Any and all comments are appreciated. -frank

 

[Servis]

I have an extended contract on my 98 dodge and I'm well pleased with it. It has come in handy several times. It also

has road service with it. It has a deductable of $100 dollars on high price items

I believe it is worth it. Enjoy the peace of mind that everything will be taken care of/

 

[RustyJC]

Extended warranties, like any insurance, are a gamble. The insurance company is in business to make money. They are betting that the premiums they receive plus any associated investment income will be greater than the claims they pay out. You're betting that your claims will exceed your premiums. Remember who is establishing the odds... . and the odds always favor the house.



JM2CW



Rusty

 

[fkovalski]

Rusty- I agree with what you said, however- from learning many things on TDR it seems as if it it could pay for itself in lift pump and suspension repairs alone as these appear to be prevalent problems. Any other covered problem that might occur would be a perk.

 

[RustyJC]

Being overly conservative, 3 lift pumps over 100K miles @ $180/pump = $540.



Suspension repairs - I guess a 4x4 person would have to comment on what's reasonable for 100K miles. I've never had to replace any suspension components other than shocks on my 4x2 3500's.



I still would rather pocket the premiums, draw what interest I can and lay out the money to make the repairs. That's just my preference, though. If peace of mind is worth $1,916 to you, that's your choice. I'd pay special attention to the contract document, though - on most of these aftermarket warranties, if it isn't specifically listed in the contract, it isn't covered.



Rusty

 

[ImagesThatSing]

3 weeks after warranty exp $1700 bill

The vacuum pump (or something that served that function if that isn't the exact name) went out just 3 weeks after warranty on our 99. It was this event, the need for better gearing and a stronger engine that combined to provide the basis for our purchase of the 03. This time we purchased the wrap around warranty (2nd best) in hopes of a better outcome and a longer ownership period.



As far as the house winning, as mentioned above regarding insurance, that is true, that is business, but they only have to win using the law of large numbers. Your loss is the only one that matters to you if it occurs. If one is not bombing, it seems to me to make sense to get the warranty unless one self insures on several levels. Especially given the cost of many of the repairs and the number of parts that can go bad.



Just our humble 2cents

 

[tcourse]

Keep in mind you already have 5 yrs and 100,000 on the engine.

I have had a lot of problems with my truck and most of them have been covered on engine warranty. The items that cost the most, track bar replacement, brake job due to axle seal leakage, etc. , were not covered on the Chrysler extended warranty. The items that were covered still cost the $100 a pop, which adds up when you add that to the cost of the warranty.

Just my . 02.

TC

 

[Berrigan]

I would only do it if its offered by the manufacturer of the vehicle. The fly by night outfits will screw you or go uot of bussiness. Its your call though. I personally do too many things to my truck that wouldmvoid any warranty plus I like the quality of my work. If i didnt pull my own wrench and wasnt bombing and wanted piece of mind I buy it but only from DC.

 

[jandtjil]

Having been turned away for lift pump repair once and track bar (steering problem) twice by service writers.

I have ZERO faith in dealers.

You can spend $10,000 on extended warrantees, but if the service writer does not acknowledge the problem, you are SOL.

my . 02



JJ

 

[NVR FNSH]

Be careful with the Added Care version. My dad had an Added Care policy on his '96 4wd 2500 gasser and it did not cover the track bar. DC Warranty does not consider the track bar as a suspension component and it was excluded from coverage. The Maxi Care policy on my '96 4wd 2500 CTD did cover the track bar.



Lift pump should be covered by the 5/100 engine warranty. I just replaced the track bar on my '00 4wd 2500 CTD and it cost me a whopping $140 for a lifetime warranty part. If you're going to leave the truck stock there really aren't that many problems with our trucks - the extended warranty is a crap shoot. Some win, some lose.



I looked into extended warranties for my '00, both DC & 3rd party, and decided against spending the money.



Brian

 

[MO'Donnell]

An FYI if you do want a DC extended warranty - check with a dealer. The prices you got are "msrp", and some dealers will discount the extended warranty.

 

[Pit Bull]

BIG WASTE OF MONEY !!!! Had one on my 2000, anything that breaks was not covered by the extended warranty. Example rear axle seal leaked and ruined the rear brakes. Rear brakes not covered, rear axle seal was but I could get it fixed for less than the deductable at a local shop. Track bar not covered by extended warranty. The 5 year 100K engine warranty covers the LP. The 7 year 70K mile covers the drive train, 3 year 36K warranty covers the other stuff. I only bought it on the 2000 because I bought the truck used and did not know how it had been treated. Will never again buy an extended warranty.

 

[Scrappy]

ext warranty

It's your call but I am a firm believer in it now, I bought a 99 bravada for the wife a while back. I paid $2000 for the warranty. It went in the shop for a bad transfer case costing $1000 and costing me $25 ded. four mo. later, It needed new balljoints for another $1000 costing me $25 ded. Well it caught fire and was totalled a month ago and I am getting about $1500 back for the unused portion of the warranty. so I guess that I am the one that got away with it

 

[Sixpack]

extended NOT!

The only way I would buy one (and I have) is if I was buying used and didn't know how the vehical was treated and maintained. JMHO Phil

 

[illflem]

Extended no way! If I had the choice for a price break for a new rig with absolutely no warranty at all I'd go for it. Face it, most dealer techs are incompetents whom I don't want near my truck. Save your money to take it to a real mechanic if need be.

 

[JGK]

When I bought my '98 as a used truck from a local couple, they had an extended Chrysler warranty that was transferred to me for $50. Even with the $50 deductible for each repair it saved me a thousand by covering bad axle seals, pinion seal, power window mechanism and electric seat motor. Those all occured in 2 years and over about 30K miles. While the power train is still covered, I'm dreading the next non-power train repair. The cost of parts will probably be painful.



I don't know what the original owners paid for the extended warranty, but for me, I was very glad I had it (via transfer).



After owning several Japanese cars and trucks, US trucks, and one German and one Swedish vehicle, I'd seriously consider extended coverage for anything built by the "big 3". Sorry, that's just my experience talking.



My advise to you would be to check out some of the 3rd party coverages for comparison. Warranty Gold seems to be real popular and they have a plan that covers just about everything except consumables. There are others. At least this will give you some idea of where the Dodge one stands.



FWIW,

-Jay

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by illflem

Extended no way! If I had the choice for a price break for a new rig with absolutely no warranty at all I'd go for it. Face it, most dealer techs are incompetents whom I don't want near my truck. Save your money to take it to a real mechanic if need be.

YES! I have thought the same thing. Work your best deal and then you decide whether to let them buy you out of the warranty for like 4K. No waranty no nothig its your baby. Find a mechanic you trust and take your chances. That would be awesome!

 

[fkovalski]

I have decided that I will NOT purchase the extended contract. A lot of my decision (aside from cost) is from the advice and comments posted here. Thanks to those who replied. Aslo- I took the truck to the local dealer and they looked it over and determined that the track bar and ball joints were worn enough to replace. I at least do not have to worry about those components for at least another 35K or so miles. I hope that by then I will have a garage to do my own maintainance. I will bank the not spent $ on replacement parts and a new place with garage. Thanks TDR! -frank

 

[rrab1]

Frank. I went with warranty gold on my 2000 with $50. 00 dollar deductible and it was less than 1800. 00 Now this week 5/18/03 I just had a $931. 00 repair. I wrote a check For $50. 00 and walked out the door no problem's or hassle. My truck is covered to 150000 mile's or 7/15/07 so the way the a/c goes's out on these truck's I'll get my money out of warranty gold' I'm on my second a/c unit on my truck Don

 

[fkovalski]

Don:

Is “warranty gold” an after market contract company? i. e. Not sold or associated with Dodge? If not gotten via Dodge where did you obtain the coverage? 150K seems like it makes it worth it. Question- your expiration date is July 07, What was the time extension at the time of your contract purchase. thanks