Extended Warranty

[Tom G]

Well it's almost here 36,000 miles and 3 years so the questions become:



1. How many members have purchased an Extended Warranty,



2. Which company did you choose, like Warranty Gold or AUL etc. , and;



3. Have you used the warranty yet or did they pay the bill?





The only experience I have is with a company called AUL Adminstrators which have a policy on my Jeep. They have always paid their bills according to the mechanic who does most of my more difficult work like changing differential bearings and transmission work.



Just thinking that maybe having a policy to cover some of the more expensive stuff on my truck like the transmission, differential, ABS brakes, AC and some of the electrical stuff might be a wise investment.



What do you think - wise investment or a waste of money?

 

[WatsonJ]

I just bought a 2000 2500 with 22,800 miles.

The original date in service was 4-10-00.

That means that the truck will "time out" of the 3/36 in 4 weeks.



I've been driving Toyota trucks for the last 18 years..... meaning

no problems. 350,000 trouble free miles on my first one and

130,000 on the one we still own.



My last experinece with a domestic truck was not good.

1980 Ford. at 145,000 it was done. . in and out despite receiving the same care and type of use as the Toyota's that

replaced it.



Because of that experience,I went with a Chrysler extended

warranty. "400+ components pwertrain care plus"



My main concern is with the transmission. (47RE)

I bought a little piece of mind. $1,800. 00.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

IMHO, it depends on how much work you are able to do on your own. If you lack the desire, knowledge, or tools to do the work, then an extended warranty may be best for you. IF you are the type that enjoys the challenges and has the wherewith all to tackle them, then I believe that an extended warranty is not worthwhile.



The prices on the ones that I have received in the mail where what I considered very high. They equate to one heck of a lot of parts that I can install myself. Keep in mind that you have one major resource right here for diagnostics!



For me, no I will not buy. It is best to seriously look at your individual needs and make a well thought out decision which best suites them.



Good Luck

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've really only had one significant experience with an extended warranty - with an '85 1-ton Chevy van, and an extended warranty thru a GM subsidiary - it was a VERY frustrating and disappointing experience. Since then I avoid extended warranties like the plague, except on my '98 Camaro SS, and that was only due to the expense and complexity of the LS-1 all alloy engine.



Certainly, if any form of "bombing" or aftermarket mods are planned for the drivetrain, an extended warranty has an EXTREMELY high likelihood of throwing your money away - the aftermarket warranty outfits make ALL their income off the cost of the policies, unlike the car makers, who also make profit off the original vehicle sale - consequently, the extended warranty outfits are quite likely to be VERY aggressive in KEEPING as much of your money as they can by avoiding as many payouts as possible - they're NOT in the business to give money away!



For all intents and purposes, I personally consider the vehicles I buy to be totally mine, and my responsibility and risk once they roll off the dealer's lot - then I simply do as *I* choose to them, with the full knowledge that if ANYTHING fails, *I* will pay the bill. Of course, I'll first TRY to get the warranty I was promised - but won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen - NOR do I choose to become an unwilling hostage of a warranty when it comes to making changes to MY truck... I'm not gonna wait 5 years or "X" miles to do with my truck as *I* want...



Otherwise, it's MY truck, and I'll do with it as I dern well please from day one, and always assume...



I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION!

 

[jrollins]

Diesel Gunner and Gary - KJ6Q both brought up wary valid points. if you are not the most mechanically inclined and probably wont be bombing your rig it may be a better deal for you. I received a extended warranty "100,000 mile diesel rap" from DC when i bought the truck. the only reason i went with it was the price the dealer sold it to me was around $350. 00. the disappointments i found were, there are many things the warranties don't cover so be sure to check the list of things a warranty covers before you buy. Most sensors and many electrical items are not covered by these. In the 100,000 miles the truck was in warranty the only thing the extended warranty covered was replacement of the front seal on the rear differential. Also i am not sure if the incentive is still going on but the last couple trucks our company bought came with a 7 year 100,000 mile extended warranty free. Tom i know thats not the case for u but to members who are in the market for a new truck keep that in mind when the stealer tries to sell you a warranty you don't need.

 

[WatsonJ]

Mag-hytec covers vs warranty

I am planning to add a double deep Mag-Hytec trans. pan

and temp gage to my truck.



Will this void my warranty?



I can't imagine that it will, but if they can find any reason to weasel, I'm sure they will.

 

[Tom G]

Lots of Good Stuff Here

Yup lots of things to consider here.



I can do most of my repairs like replacing the brake pads, replacing an alternator, changing fluid, etc.



The more complicated stuff like transmissions and differentials or other items that may require special tools concers me.



So far I have found an extented warranty 'Warranty Gold' for about $1300. 00 which adds 5 years to the time and up to 100,000 miles. Really a tough decision thou guys. Buying a replacement alternator can cost maybe $300 bucks. I have heard ABS/Mastercylinder units can be as high as $600.



New idea - anyone know what components have a high failure rate on a 2001, 3500 QC truck?



I already know about the transmissions. Have a Diesel Dynamics TTPM and never use the power settings because the torque converter will slip on command. Truck has been to the dealer and they checked pressures, changed filter [was almost clean/or typical for 25,000 miles] and said everything was fine. New valve body will be installed before our summer towing begins. The 47RE just can't handle the torque we make with the Cummins I guess



Thank you all for the quick feedback and will write again after a few more posts. Isn't this TDR great

 

[BillGotthelf]

I purchased an extended warranty with my 96 4x4 dualie and was glad I did. It was back 24 times for things under the extended warranty-definatly paid for itself. So when I bought my 99 I bought the x warranty. That was a waste of $ as I have not used it. Only things that went bad was 1 injector pump and 1 lift pump and those are covered by the cummins warranty out to 100,000 miles. I will not get an x warranty on the 2003 I ordered.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by WatsonJ

I I've been driving Toyota trucks for the last 18 years..... meaning

no problems. 350,000 trouble free miles on my first one and

130,000 on the one we still own.



My last experinece with a domestic truck was not good.

1980 Ford.

Wow my last 3 Toyotas (2 trucks V6 w4d and a Camry) were in the shop more than I had them. The last toyota truck was traded off ( at 6k miles because I was sick of taking it to the dealer ) on my Dakota which we drove 197,000 miles and it was in the shop twice.



The 2000 Dakota burned the ground at 17k miles because of a defective (read lowest bidder supplier) power steering hose.



The newest one, the 01 CTD has not been problem free either . We bought the DC diesel wrap and they have paid through the nose. Guess they would rather fix it than build it right.



I have heard that some of the non OEM warranties use salvage or rebuilt parts where as the DC is new in most cases

 

[Sticks]

READ EVERY THING AND EVERY WORD ON THE CONTRACT!!



I just did some diagnostic and minor repair work to a Land Rover-Range Rover for a nice young couple with more money than brains that wanted a status symbol. They bought it used, did not have it checked out by an independent shop, but were offered the extended warranty by the dealership that they bought it from.



The following is a layman's summary of what the warranty covered.



Anything that is solid metal and part of, not bolted to, the engine.



Items specifically excluded - electrical, suspension (computer controlled air ride suspension), hoses/tubing.



Items that are an option for an additional surcharge (in smaller print and towards the end of the non covered parts) Any and all gaskets and seals.



The following is a list of all the gaskets and seals that were leaking like the Exxon Valdez.

Valve covers, head, oil pump, crankshaft, at least one camshaft, front main, rear main, transmission, transfer case, differential (front and rear) and oil pan.



Guess who did not know that it was an option to have the gaskets and seals included in the warranty.



Earliest estimates for all repairs at $3. 5k, parts and labor.



Sticks

 

[Silver]

I had a friend with a chevy truck. He bought an aftermarket warranty. Whenever something broke, he had to take it to a certain shop (not the dealer) or have the faulty part shipped out for replacement. His truck was out of commission for a month when his transmission went out. I don't know which company he bought the warranty through, but because of this, I will never buy a warranty from a company other than the manufacturer.



I didn't buy the extended warranty on my truck because I fugure when I have it bombed, "I am my own warranty station" anyway.



JMO

 

[puffincoal]

i did buy the extended warranty and i only used it once so far, had my u joints go out and the shocks replaced (since i was paying the $50 deductible anyway) and it was in and out in two days no questions asked. i know i could of done this work myself but after a day of work i don't like to spend time working on the truck. unless its bomb related i got the dc warranty and have a good relationship with the stealer because we buy about 4 fleet trucks a years though them, that might be the difference, don't know

 

[Tom G]

Thanks a Million

Gentlemen:



You have all given me much to think about and some very good advice. I want to thank each of you for taking the time to respond and sharing your experience with extended warranties.



Sincerely

Tom G.

 

[Chipstien]

I spent the money on the extended warrantee and kick myself in the arse for doing it.

 

[Chipstien]

Word of advice. If there is even a REMOTE chance that you will add any bombs to your rig than save the money. This includes if measily EZ or other minor box. Remember that it NEVER stops there.

 

[Tom G]

Good Advice

HI Chipstien:



If you are going to bomb forgetting to buy an extended warranty sounds like good advice.



Does the term 'you are your own warranty station' ring a bell with anyone LOL

 

[Chipstien]

And don't forget it.

 

[Sixpack]

I would only buy the extended warranty if I was buying a used vehicle and did not know the previous owner. JMHO Sixpack