Extended Warranty, is it Worth it?

[bigfig]

My 2001. 5 Dodge Ram Cummins with automatic transmission will go out of warranty in about three months, I should have about 36,000 miles on it. I was considering whether or not to put the extended warranty, I have put about 36,000 miles a year on this particular vehicle, so far. The dealer wants $1500 for the wrap around 100,000 mile 5 yr. warranty.

Wondering what you all think? How many of you have done this? Do you feel this is a waste of money? We have had no serious problems with the vehicle, yet.

So, what do you think? Would it be a waste of my money?

 

[klenger]

If you decide to get the extended warranty, I recommend a third party warranty. You can get the work done at any garage, the price is better, and the coverage is better. The independent garages have nothing to gain by trying to void your warranth becuase of bombing. I had zero deductable Warranty Gold on my 98 Grand Cherokee, and they bought me a $1200 rear axle no ?? asked. If you are getting close to $36,000 you may want to decide fast. As I remember, Warranty Gold wanted more than 1000 miles and 1 month warranty left to extend it.



Ken

 

[LSMITH]

I bought the wrap from the dealer before I knew a lot about warranties. I am sure now that I paid too much for what I got considering the third party policies available. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY! I am at least a thousand dollars ahead. It is your decision in the end, but it has paid for itself and more for me.

 

[Crazy Horse]

You can dicker the price with your Dodge dealer to get a bargin. Also, if you are going to travel alot I would stay with a factory Dodge extended warranty, you are better off getting the repair covered without a big hassle. Most of your 3rd party warranties have limited provisions. Many of which are only honored where they are purchased. One thing to check is the fine print. Look at what it covers and what it doesn't. Make sure it covers all gaskets and seals and internal parts of major componets. . I would definitely make sure it covers just about everything except "maintence items", belts, hoses,brakes, tires, and shocks.

 

[FMcClaren]

I,ve dished out over 10,000 dollars over the years on

exstended warranty,s and never used them. (Chrysler products)

Now I stick a couple thousand in the bank for repairs and

keep my fingers crossed.

If you can,t or don,t want to do your own repairs then a

warranty might be a good idea. my 2 cents

Have a good one

Frank

 

[Sky]

I have 38k on my truck now in about a year. I am out of warranty now, and have kicked the idea around. But Im going to hit 100k in another year and a half. So that puts me at next C'mas tops. I think that Ill skip it and not buy one as I drive so many miles. Sounds like you drive a bit too, If you take care of your rig then she should be good to you back. Im counting on it!

 

[rrl989]

Extended warranty

One DC shop repair cost me $1700+ to diagnose and replace a $49 OD unit bearing. I sure regret not having the warranty. Based on my experience, I know Chrysler is #3 for a reason.

My fuel sender is NFG, but, I won't give those SOB's the satifaction of buying another one. I have a lot of small items requiring repair at 65K miles, I should have purchased the $1500 warranty on a $35K truck. I would only get a DC waranty, and not a third party, JMHO.





Ron

 

[VicR]

I just bought the Added Care Diesel Wrap for $1117. 50. The maximum care was about $1550. 00. You have to be under the 3/36 to purchase them, but you can do it over the phone.



I delt with Shannon at Lake Forest Chrysler Plymouth in Maryland and she was very helpful and easy to deal with. 301-670-4850.



-Vic

 

[RTaylor]

First off look at extended warranty as if it was insurance. With that in mind

you are betting that your truck brakes and the company is betting that it don't. They are there to make money so you can bet that the odds are on their side. How ever if it does brake most any main component will run you $1000 or better. So it's a bet on your part.

Now if you do go with an extended warranty I would get it from Dodge. If you get an after market extended warranty it may or may not be good to use at other places. I have been it the auto business for 30 years and dealing with after market warranty's are a pain in the back side. I have had some that took days to get an OK for the work and then we had to use junk yard parts. Then it took days to get paid for the work and most shops don't let you take your vehicle if it's not paid for. If you can't do your own work the extended warranty would give you some peace of mind.

 

[MikeR]

I've been in the dealership business for a while too,yes the extended warranties are usually a pain the the butt to get authorizations. Read them carefully,because the only thing they usually cover is the drivetrain.

The only thing that's going to break is your automatic trans... so keep your money and use toward a Bill Kondolay trans upgrade.

 

[migraineman]

I had the 4year/75000 mile warranty with 0 deductible from Chrysler. It more than paid for itself. After 36,000 miles it had the following replaced:



starter, fuel solenoid, front u joints, front axle seals, ball joints, output seal on transfer case, radiator, left speaker, fuel sending unit, oil pressure sending unit, transmission lines, PCM, vacuum pump



They even replaced the steering wheel because it had worn areas on bottom and top.



I wish I bought the 100,000 mile warranty!

 

[JMoglia]

Frank you are a smart man you must be as old as me 55 I too have spent to much on warranties thru the years,good Idea put some $'s in the bank. also learn to do some of the repairs yourself and you will save a hole lot of grief,any of you out there that have taken your rigs in for minor stuff know what I mean,it will usually have something else wrong or it won't get finished when they say or worse then that it gets totaled on the road test. lololo good luck, Joe Moglia