Service contract question

[Jim Smith]

Has anybody bought a service contract from the dealer? Are there any pitfalls? When does the contract kick in etc. etc? Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks.

 

[klenger]

I paid $1995 for the 7 year 100k $100 deductable service plan. Have not needed it yet as I am still in the 3/36 warranty. The service plan also enhances (I think) the standard warranty with loaners, towing, etc.

 

[JVolpe]

Mine was 7/70 extended warranty $1,400 at purchase. I was given a free rental on overnight warranty work because of the extended warranty. I am a little over 35,000 miles now so soon will be on that warranty only for non drive train issues. The drive train/engine been on my nickle for a while now. It is just insurance, the kind you don't want to need.

 

[BHolm]

I had a little long term experience with the 3rd gens having owned a couple of '03s and the '05. I did not opt for any extended warranty on my '06. I am plenty confident that I wont need it and see no need to line the dealers pocket with a money grab like that. They mark those things up to the moon to squeeze extra bucks from the deal. In reality the chances that you will have a failure major enough to have the warranty "pay for itself" are pretty slim. If you have an auto trans and pull a lot, you may be able to justify it. Also if you plan to bomb the truck at some point you may very well void the warranty you just dropped $2000 on. Lots to consider, don't let the F&I guy convince you that you need it, he is making big bucks on junk like that, and GAP insurance, and paint protectants and window etching for "security". All a bunch of scams in my book.



Now on a used vehicle, especially one you can tie certain potential failures to due to others experiences, I have bought and needed extended warranties. Once on an Isuzu Trooper (blown headgasket covered) and once on a Honda Accord (manual trans failure). On these trucks... . no thanks.

 

[JVolpe]

I typically do not by extended warranty on anything. I did have one on my '96 chevy truck and was glad I did, fast talking salesman got me. Air Conditioner problems at about 40,000 miles more than paid for the extended warranty. I used it 4 or 5 times for different problems. I can't say if the $1,400 investment is going to be worth the money, but too late now. I just need to remember that I have it and use it where ever it applies.

 

[JasonBrown]

We bought a 75K warranty for my wife's Lincoln LS. It cost 2 grand! We got about 4 grand worth of use out of it. Traded the car at 70K. Now we have a 2005 CTD, a 2005 Durango and a 1997 Grand Caravan with 191K on it. Just put a trans in the van. Other than that it still drives like new. It is the first Dodge I have ever owned. If the 2005s are as good as this van I will never buy anything but a Dodge going forward.

 

[TowPro]

Shop around. I bought one for a 2003 Ford Excape. The dealer wanted $1400 for a 5 year, 100K mile contract. I found a dealer selling the same Ford warrantee on the internet for $450. 00. My dealer matched it. when I traded the Ford in this spring They gave me $800. 00 additional because of the extended warrantee



I don't think I will buy one for the Dodge, have not been burnt yet by a CTD.

 

[Bob4x4]

I bought the max care 0 deductible contract. I always fix my own,but I know what the parts cost!You can haggle over the price of the contract just like the initial purchase of the vehicle. Generally speaking you will break even with as little as 1 use. You will also be able to get free rental coverage from the first day with the right level even if the repair is covered by the 3/36 warranty. Also remember the 06 does not have the powertrrain coverage freebie. Consumer reports will tell you not to buy one. They deal with numbers just like the insurance companies. Its playing the numbers... ... ... do you feel lucky.



Bob

 

[Edgemann55]

I got the 100,00 mile contract so as I make these big monthly payments I have peace of mind that I will not get stuck with a large repair bill. I have no fear of the drivetrain it is the rest of the dodge around it I fear. Just price a power window repair. Oh well got my 2 cents in.

 

[Jim Smith]

The service contract by a local Detroit dealer is $2500 for Additional care and $3500 for the Max care. Where are the less expensive contracts that others are getting? The brochure says the repairs only start after the factory 3-36 warranty expires. Is this true? Can I wait till 35k miles then buy the package? What about the powertrain 7-100k ? Any advice is helpful. Thanks.

 

[Edgemann55]

Like Bob said you can haggle over the price for the contract just like the price of the truck. I paid 1700. 00 for the 50. 00 deductable contract for bumper to bumper coverage to 7 years or 100,000 miles. I felt that 28. 00 a month over 5 years was cheap insurance incase somethig big happened while making payments. You should be able to get a contract anytime added to your truck before the factory 36,000 is up.