Extended Warranty on '04?

[GO 4LO]

Just wanted to do a quick poll. I'm very seriously considering purchasing an '04 with 390k miles on it. Former hotshot truck - quad cab longbed dually, HO NV5600 4x4, fresh clutch, balljoints, and brakes. Tires replaced 15k ago.



The dealer will include a 3mo, 3k mi warranty for free. I can step up to a 1yr, 12k mi warranty for 900 or a 3yr, 36k mi warranty for 1200. The 1yr seems oddly high, so I plan to either just take the free 3mo or buy the 3yr. Warranty covers the following:



Engine

Transmission

Tcase

Voltage regulator

Water pump

Alternator

Starter





All warranties are all aftermarket, not factory. They are zero-deductible and come with roadside service. I need to get the fine print on the warranty - not sure if "Engine" includes turbo, fuel system, etc. , or just the longblock.



Planned use for the truck is towing only. The most I'll put behind it is 12-14k lbs. Plan to put 6-10k mi a year on it, probably only 2-3k of that towing. Not planning extensive mods - maybe intake, exhaust, gauges, and a Smarty, maybe small injectors. But I don't think I would mind too much leaving it stock if I needed to for the warranty.



Would I be better off putting the $1200 toward rebuilt injectors w/50hp nozzles and a decent lift pump? Or any other potential problem points?



What do you guys think - yea or nay? Thoughts?



Chris

 

[Bluebird]

Looks like you have a lot of experience with CTD trucks. Let their records speak for themselves... Keep your ca$h, add the performance options. Have fun with your new dually!



Patrick.

 

[HBarlow]

The primary reason you are considering a warranty is because the truck you are considering buying has a lot of miles on it. Lots of miles equals lots of wear. Extended warranties DO NOT cover failures due to wear!

Regardless what happens to that truck the warranty company will refuse to pay by claiming the failure was due to wear.

Keep your money.

BTW, I was a transporter and if I could examine the maintenance records of a retired transporter truck I would consider buying a good, well-maintained Dodge-Cummins formerly used by a transporter (not a Ferd or GM). If the previous owner practiced good routine maintenance including good oil and good filters and didn't have any "magic black boxes" on it, that truck can give you good service for years to come.

My son-in-law and daughter own my first transporter truck, an '01 Dodge Cummins. It had 325k on it when they bought it and it has 350k on it now and still runs good.

 

[rbattelle]

Never buy an aftermarket extended warranty package. They're universally unprofitable, and the company that underwrites it eventually goes belly up (usually quickly).

You're better off saving the money. Only manufacturer's warranties are any good.

If you really can't help yourself, first read the fine print - every word. Then, if you're still considering it, find out who the underwriter is and do some deep internet research on that company. That should kill any idea you have of buying the warranty.

Ryan

 

[HBarlow]

Never buy an aftermarket extended warranty package. They're universally unprofitable, and the company that underwrites it eventually goes belly up (usually quickly).

You're better off saving the money. Only manufacturer's warranties are any good.

If you really can't help yourself, first read the fine print - every word. Then, if you're still considering it, find out who the underwriter is and do some deep internet research on that company. That should kill any idea you have of buying the warranty.

Ryan

I agree with every word Ryan wrote. I wasn't going to to that far in my earlier post but what he wrote is precisely accurate.

Aftermarket warranty companies sell a lot of policies then go out of business to avoid paying claims. My guess is they simply change their address and business name then do it again.