Should I buy an Extended Warranty?

[BRBoling]

Hi guys, I have a brand new 2019 Ram 3500 SRW LB 4WD standard output diesel Limited on order. The dealer offers a ‘limited lifetime power train warranty’ on engine and transmission and drive axle parts. Plus they are trying to sell me an extended warranty (EW). Can you experienced folks out there please weigh in on whether you think I should buy the EW? If so when should I buy it, at the time of delivery or just before the factory warranty expires? If you think I should buy one, which one should I buy? My thinking is that the factory covers the drivetrain to 100,000 miles or five years. The dealership in theory covers drivetrain and powertrain for as long as I own the vehicle, however it is not transferable if I sell the truck. What I’m concerned with is all the electronics and other bumper to bumper stuff that could go wrong after the factory warranty expires. I Buy my vehicles brand new and tend to keep them for about a decade. Thanks for the help and insight folks!

 

[JPM]

look this over,there are many plans , but you always buy one later, for my 17 it was 24000 miles, 3yrs for a cutoff, and more expense so I am going to buy one next spring
https://www.mopar.com/en-us/care/mopar-vehicle-protection.html

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine is different than most. MaxCare 7/100 "NO" deductible.

 

[jhenderson]

Buying the extended warranty was a waste of $2K for me. Like you, I was afraid of all the electronics but as it turned out the only wiring issue I had was out of the extended warranty period.

 

[Newsa]

When my $4000 (what the dealer told me it would cost had I not been covered by maxcare .....parts + labor) ecm died, I was glad I paid $1800 for the maxcare. That was just one repair that occured outside of the 3 year/36 month bumper warranty.

Also had ball joints and steering rod and a few other things fixed during max care 7 year/70k period

 

[nukegm]

comrade BR - normally i would avoid an extended warranty. however, my 2018 2500 has spent 30 days at the dealer in its short life of under two years old. clutch issues. and national back order issues...given the amount of shop time, i have been shopping for warranties. max care seems like the best coverage given the price. i got a quote the other day of approx 1600 bucks for 3 more years of coverage...im currently over 30k in miles. i will be purchasing the warranty , most likely around christmas. cheers, and good luck. enjoy your ride !

 

[Tuesdak]

The warranty you choose is just as important. Get the FCA MOPAR Warranty. I posted a PDF of a MOPAR Warranty on here. Other warranty's that get sold like Fidelity ARE a waste of time and money. Not just Your Time but the shops time as the Clown Show at Fidelity wastes their time to prove a radiator failure isn't the Excluded expansion tank. Any shop!? HaHa how about take it to the RAM dealer and No Stupid Questions.

Edit: It's interesting to note some expensive emissions items excluded from extended warranty coverage. Link to PDF of MOPAR warranty:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...tection-vs-fidelity-extended-warranty.266711/

 

[Wiredawg]

Extended warranties normally don't work for me. Exception: we purchased a LIFETIME Max Care warranty on my wife's 2019 1500 Laramie Longhorn for $4300. No mileage or time limits.

The extended warranty Max Care deal Mopar offered for my 2017 Ram 5500 Laramie is $5380 for 8 years, 100K miles, 100 deductible, $538 down $201.XX/month no interest for 24 months. If I put in a modest investment for 8 years, I have around $8700. I put around 15K miles/year on my truck, but coverage only allows 12.5K miles. Still a little better than standard warranty of 3 years and $36K miles. The factory has a 5 year 100K mile powertrain and emissions warranty that covers the big cost items.

There are two problems I paid out of pocket for on previous trucks:
2003 Ram 2500 rebuilt 48RE transmission @ 123K miles for $2300 at local transmission shop (extended warranty wouldn't have covered anyway)
2009 Ram 4500 replaced turbo at deal ~43K miles for $2500.

If you're not a do it yourselfer AND you have major concerns about the "electronics," then you likely should get an extended warranty.

So, you've heard both sides of the discussion.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins2014]

We currently have two vehicles that HAD extended warranties. Cost me about 4 grand for both , and neither came remotely close to any repairs totaling 4 grand. I would think long , and hard about extended warranties. Like any insurance they don't lose money . Its a gamble at best .

 

[TFucili]

I have never even considered an extended warranty before, but I am giving it just a bit of consideration for this truck. If I do, it will be Mopar, not a third party warranty(insurance)provider.

 

[Cummins2014]

I have never even considered an extended warranty before, but I am giving it just a bit of consideration for this truck. If I do, it will be Mopar, not a third party warranty(insurance)provider.

I really don't know much how these extended warranties work, but if one can purchase extended warranties after the 3 year 36 month nears the end, and you have had a problem truck , that might make sense. I know I get notices in the mail that are selling these warranties, so it appears you can buy them later ??

Will they cost you more if you wait to purchase, or are the same cost later in ownership .

 

[Cummins2014]

comrade BR - normally i would avoid an extended warranty. however, my 2018 2500 has spent 30 days at the dealer in its short life of under two years old. clutch issues. and national back order issues...given the amount of shop time, i have been shopping for warranties. max care seems like the best coverage given the price. i got a quote the other day of approx 1600 bucks for 3 more years of coverage...im currently over 30k in miles. i will be purchasing the warranty , most likely around christmas. cheers, and good luck. enjoy your ride !

I guess that answers my question about buying them later. Makes a lot more sense getting it .That 1600 might just pay off in your situation .

 

[wyosteve]

Not directly on point, but thought I'd ask here before calling FCA. Does anyone know if the MaxCare warranty gets honored if you're in Canada and have a problem? I never thought about it, but during a conversation with a friend yesterday, he had a 2016 that was a Canadian truck and the dealer wasn't sure the warranty would apply in the U.S. Ultimately, it did, but raised the question which I never considered. Thanks for any insight.

 

[R.Taylor]

I had MaxCare 8/125 on my 06, Well after my original 3/36 had passed I was covered for...

Sloppy steering box, Ball joints, REC Nav unit, U-Joints, Wheel bearings, Leaking rear main seal, Power rear sliding window motor/cable and a TIPM module.

Now with my 2019 and all it's new tech stuff and changes to the engine I for sure got another FCA MaxCare warranty, 8/125 with a $200 deductible... I paid $2850 for it. Some dealers really try to screw you on pricing. When I bought my 2018 they offered me the 8/125 for $3800, When I showed them where I can purchase the same FCA warranty for $2850 and if they'd match that they scoffed and said "No". I bought my 2019 from a different dealer and they did match the price with no hesitation.

If you're buying a 2019.... An extended warranty might be wise.

 

[KCJackson1]

I recommend factory service contracts if you're going to get one. The manufacturer has a vested interest in the vehicle and keeping you happy enough to buy your next vehicle from them. Third-party plans have no such relationship, and it's in their best interest to deny claims so they can make money.

Mechanicals are made better for the most part, but electronics and self-contained units make service contracts wworthy. a body control module can take a lot with it... and what used to be a unscrew-piece-replace-piece easy repair is now a $500 "you have to replace the whole unit, not just the $1.79 light bulb that blew out" all-day affair.

For those who say to wait until late in the 3/36 to buy... there are immediate benefits in these plans that come into play during the 3/36, such as loaner vehicles for repairs, even if the 3/36 is covering the fix.

 

[BRBoling]

Thanks for all the input folks! So the dealer is offering me a wrap coverage, they call it, to extend the bumper to bumper to 100,000 miles / 10 years. $2750 and includes cooling, steering, brakes, electrical, Fuel delivery, front and rear suspension, enhanced electrical, Air conditioning, on top of the drivetrain warranties that I will have. Contract offered by Portfolio Protection Autocare. So third party. I want coverage until at least 10/100. Will look into the FCA warranty. Pretty sold on extending the warranty. Dealer is Larson in Puyallup, WA, Who competed really hard and beat out Dave Smith. The final thing that swayed me is the lifetime warranty & courtesy vehicles ( yeah I’m lazy that way). I only paid $500 morethan DS. Truck shows up this week! EXCITED! Anybody want a real nice one owner ‘06 with 193.k? 4WD, CC LB SRW, gray. Its currently overpriced in an ad in my local Seattle craigslist ads.

 

[Cummins12V98]

NO WAY!!!!!!!! Stick to MacCare

 

[BRBoling]

NO WAY!!!!!!!! Stick to MacCare

Copy that will check on that ASAP

 

[Tuesdak]

The Dealer finance person is offering you the "best commission and kickback" contract/warranty/coverage to line their pocket. I found you have to insist on the Maxcare MOPAR warranty.

Aftermarket warranty given to service advisor is *GROAN* while they cuss you and said finance person for selling turds with no clean end to pick them up with.

MOPAR MaxCare is "EASY BUTTON" here is your loaner "I will call you when it's fixed".

It's the "Fight" for the coverage and risk of the tow bill and rental ON YOU if the aftermarket krap weasels out of a claim that makes a big difference.

 

[firemansdiesel]

https://www.chryslerwarrantydirect.com