Warranty Worry Warts

[Briar Hopper]

I don't really understand the extremes some people go to about preserving their warranties. What is the ultimate benefit? I've found that a warranty is only as good as a dealer's mechanics. And I haven't found any good dealer's mechanics! Not at Chevy, not at Ford, not at Dodge. 25 years of bad experiences dealing with all three.

My "extended" warranty, on this vehicle, and all other vehicles I've owned, is a savings account with the $2500 the dealer wanted to charge me for an extended warranty, that only cost them approximately $250 to buy.

I have my choice of garages(some of them quite excellent) and my choice of better-quality aftermarket replacement parts, this way. And it usually gets fixed in hours, or in a day, instead of sitting at the dealer's for 2 to 3 days.

The largest part of the fun of this truck is doing my own maintenance and repairs on it, however I do understand that not everyone can, or even wants to.

But even the least mechanically-minded individual really does not need to worry about warranties. It is, after all, nothing more than an over-priced insurance policy. You're going to need very few repairs, if at all, in the early life of your vehicle. If you do have a problem, it will have showed up within the 36,000 or 70,000 miles provided by the factory. If the problem keeps coming back, you then have ample time to get rid of the vehicle and purchase another one. Putting the $$$$ into savings insures that you will have it in the LATER years of your vehicle's life, when you almost certainly will need it, and no warranty of any kind covers you, due to miles or vehicle age.

Aftermarket performance enhancements from ANY manufacturer can void your factory warranty . Legally, the dealer is not allowed to, by the Magnuson-Moss Act (take note, THAT'S the correct spelling of it ! ) But they can and will do it, if given the opportunity, knowing you don't have the resources to take them to court. Yes, it's a gamble to BOMB your truck. If you can't pay, don't step up to the table.

Does your race car have a warranty on it? How about that Ranger bass boat you bought used? Blow the engine in either one, you're out THOUSANDS of dollars.

I bought my Cummins Ram mainly for recreation, instead of a race car or bass boat, even though cheaper transportation of all kinds is readily available. So, I'm going to play with it to the maximum, and enjoy every bit of it, the good as well as the bad. The bad will be fun and interesting to get fixed. A hassle, yes, but still fun, with no steenkin' warranty to drag me down...

The difference is merely time. A year from now, supposing I didn't have BOMB's on the truck, my warranty would be expiring. Then, anything that happens after that, to the truck, will come out of my pockets. What's the difference between now or later? I don't see any good reason to WAIT to have fun.

On the other hand, if I'd bought a Duramax, I think I'd be warrantying that sucker for 5 years and 400,000 miles, it would end up being cheaper to do so.

So flame away, you guys, this is me at my overly-opinionated best, I don't expect y'all to agree with me. Just the smart ones.

 

[The Sequel]

I couldn't agree more. I have never bought an extended warranty on anything in my life. On the average, they make money on the warranty or they wouldn't sell it. Enjoy what you have now instead of waiting to enjoy/BOMB it after the warranty is up. I think many who buy warranties just don't want the unexpected potential cost of a breakdown. Once they put the warranty cost in their loan, it winds up costing them even more, but they don't see it so it doesn't hurt as bad.

 

[illflem]

I wish all the manufacturers would offer a 30 day warranty with a very big price break. Most any real defect is going to show up right away. I rather have the saved money to do my own work or have a competent mechanic work on it. Most dealers just make matters worse.

 

[NVR FNSH]

So my 3/36 & 5/100 warranties are 'worthless'? I wonder what that new 6spd under my truck would have cost me out of pocket? Or the track bar, ball joints, steering box, lift pump or any other number of things?



I drive my truck every day, I like the fact that if the power windows crap out or the lift pump dies I can drop it off at the dealer and it's their problem. Yes, I can fix it myself but I don't really want to. I have my hands full with 3 dirt bikes, a Jeep, the 5th wheel, the house etc, etc. If I wanted to mess around with the engine/drivetrain on a CTD I would have bought an older one w/o a warranty and gone for it.



Too each his own.



Brian

 

[Steve Campbell]

A friend of mine with a dorf said he is tired of doing his work on a rainy night outdoors. He bought the most complete warranty he could so that he could take it to the dealer even if it was just a light bulb (that is a lot of warranty). The dealer said it was going to be expensive. He said OK.



I, on the other hand, agree with the party of the first part (legalese/ to be interpreted as Briar Hopper). I will do all I can because of cost/ enjoyment/ superior aftermarket mechanics and parts.

 

[Cooker]

This really is a topic of personal preference. Do you have a high dueductable on your insurance or a low deductable? Do you want to pay for piece (if you call letting the stealer repair your truck piece of mind LOL) of mind or find you own piece of mind when time comes?



I am not too big a fan of warranties, but as long as the manufactures are going to keep the prices inflated becasue of the warranties they are offering, I will continue to accept them.



I have often thought along the line of ilflems comment. I say why not offer a 1yr/15,000, or even 6 months/7,500 mile warranty and forget about this 3 or 5 year stuff. As long as the price of the vehicle showed the difference. If they took enough money off the price of a new truck, would you go without a warranty at all? I would.



To each his own.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I would prefer the 30 day warranty. I like to keep my blood pressure down, so I don't go to dealerships for service. The simple words of "unable to duplicate customer concerns... " can make veins pop out on my forhead.



Plus, I'd rather give my business to a local mechanic rather than the (whole bunch of explatives) at DC.

 

[Briar Hopper]

NVR FNSH, I didn't say the warranties are worthless. If it works for you, more power to you.

The components you named, that I'm having trouble with, the steering parts, namely, I would not want them replaced with the very same thing!!! Same defective quality, will crap out right after my warranty expires... Give you a GOOD example. When your shocks and brakes wear out, do you go back to the dealer and get them replaced with the same cheap, over-priced stuff? NO !!! You go with the best brand you can find. Why should steering parts be any different? Believe me, they're the same poor quality parts. I had that confirmed by the owner/mechanic of a big, popular, well-respected (and expensive) front end shop in Indiana, when I was up there, and he was hitting the phone looking for parts for my truck.

I work 2 jobs, and have less time than most to work on my truck or any hobby, though my electrical business is winding down, and I have more free time now. And I can't hear to use the phone, so chasing down my own parts and service can be a major hassle at times. Still, a warranty just won't cut it for me.

If we could save money by getting reduced warranties as some have suggested, I'd like to see D-C put the money into better parts for our trucks, making them last longer. Ain't gonna happen though.

 

[Don M]

My first Dodge was a V-10 powered pile of junk. I dont know what else to call it.

First was the transmission at 23,000 miles. Then the radiator leaked and had to be replaced at 24,000 miles.

Then I went on a hunting trip towing my gooseneck trailer and the transmission went out again at 34,000 miles. I was about 1400 miles from home. Alternator went out twice. Water pump failed once. Air conditioning compressor clutch went out.

Finally at around 60,000 miles the transmission failed again and was replaced again. At 68,000 miles the head gaskets failed and I was towing my trailer across Oklahoma and called the closest dealer to ask what to do. They said since I had the tralier that towing was out of the question and to keep driving as far as I could. I made it to the dealer hours later with rods knocking and more heat than you could imagine. The exhaust manifolds were glowing red under the hood.

They replaced the engine for me.



All this stuff happened while towing a trailer that was well within the rating and it was all covered under warranty.



3 transmisions at 2700 bucks a pop. One engine at 6800 bucks. Ansd the other stuff I mentioned. Thank God had a warranty.

I would be broke from paying for all the repairs if I had not.



Don~





yeah the stuff was replaced with the same old junk it had to begin with, but it was free and everytime it died they patched it up again all at no cost to me.

 

[HDH]

Briar Hopper

Well Said.

I agree with all that you stated above.

And this one is the Gods Honest Truth!-->""I've found that a warranty is only as good as a dealer's mechanics. And I haven't found any good dealer's""

Se Habla HADDAD DODGE of Bakersfield Or Fresno Dodge?

The So called "Techs" at these two places are a Bunch of Pencil Neck, Parts Changing DRB Scanning Morons. So Much for the Five Star Pointy Headed Award!.

Doug.

 

[FFutch]

at least ours are easy to work on...

I think Briar makes a good point. If you are going to Bomb these trucks you should understand that you are"your own warranty station"A whole lot of guys ***** about their stock clutches going out when they crank up the horsepower,well DUH!I work on class 8 stuff and the powertrain is only rated at a certain power level. If the guy has a clutch or trans. failure the first thing that Eaton-Fuller wanted was a printout of the h. p. and torque settings. If they were above the rated input,guess what,you're S. O. L. I've already had to put a clutch and a lift pump in mine. Could I have got warranty,probably. But I didn't want no grief for the gages and other mods,bought the pump thru Cummins for $120 and 30 minutes of my time and it was over with. Go start pricing P. S. D. or Dura? parts . I just put a C. P. S. in a P. O. S. D. Guess what this one little sensor cost,$170 . I'm glad I'm not footing the bill for one of these things. Yes I have to work on Phords(more than I care to)at work,and they absolutely suck to do any kind of work to . My neighbor has a Dura?and I looked under the hood of that thing and all I have to say is there's a motor in there somewhere . On a stock truck I agree warranty is a good thing,but for example go to the Phord site and look at the guy with a BLOWN P. S. D. He's expecting Ford to eat an engine that he has put a chip and propane in... can you say NOT!He only had 5500 miles on this 2002. I guess he's never heard of braking an engine in before modifying it . Sorry so long. Doug

 

[rmknizner]

One additional negative to bringing in your truck for warranty work is the total waste of your time. Dropping the truck off, picking it up, waiting for the cashier, calling to see if it is done yet (OR IF THEY LOOKED AT IT YET!). Then going back AGAIN after they get the parts that were not in stock... UGH! After a few times I just run out of energy and say " to heck with it!".



Then I either fix it myself or wait until something major happens that forces me back to the dealer.



Even if the dealer fixed your truck correctly the first time, nobody reimburses you for your time and effort ("consequential damages" in legelese).



BTW my dealer here near Dallas is Huffines Dodge. They have been better than any other dealer I've worked with. I'll be back there again next week to get a cut hose coming out of the intercooler replaced.



Bob

 

[QRTRHRS]

First of all, I don't buy many new vehicles anymore. The "hit", the price of new and my budget make used a better choice. There are plenty of off leasers or like new well cared for vehicles out there.



Like Bob said, going to the dealer is a big time user and for me, a major hassle. I buy my vehicles to use. Dog snot on the seats and horse manure on the floor are the norm. When I decide to sell, a good detailing will usually bring me an average price.



Been there, done that with the extended and a dipstick service writer. Same with appliances and tv's etc. When they stop working, out in the front yard they go

 

[willyslover]

Boy ocouldn't agree more . . the dealer's guys are at best poorly trained bunch of parts changers. . trial and error at your expense. .

Hey Doug I see you forund another dealer to add to your Christmas card list

 

[HDH]

Originally posted by willyslover

Boy ocouldn't agree more . . the dealer's guys are at best poorly trained bunch of parts changers. . trial and error at your expense. .

Hey Doug I see you forund another dealer to add to your Christmas card list

Hey Gary, Yep, Found another Dealer With their heads in a Very Dark, Warm, Smelly Moist Place. Fresno Dodge Service Dept Screwed a friend of mine...

Doug. .

Hey Wheres all the Snow? And Why is PineCrest Lake completely dry?

 

[willyslover]

mother nature is busy giving us a large dose of of black ice this year... reports of the white stuff this weekend

 

[Doc Tinker]

I think the manufacturers should offer a warranty rebate. If you never take your truck in for warranty repairs, they could give you a few thousand dollars back when the warranty expires. Then you could either buy an extended warranty with it, or buy more BOMB accessories.



This kind of rebate might be appealling to buyers and maybe a lot of new vehicle owners would think twice about taking their vehicles in for a squeek or other minor problem, that wouldn't get fixed anyway.



Doc

 

[Briar Hopper]

Hey guys, look! An intelligent, worthy proposal, from the Mad Doc of weird Forum Topics!

I like that idea, Doc, that'd be way cool.

HDH, you kill me... did anybody find Don M's head up in that dark smelly place you described?

 

[Hammer]

Briar,,Very well stated I might say,,Too many people try to dance around the "warranty" issue after they have begun their mods and then expect some act to "try" to back them up when its time to deal with the stealer,,Seems like here,more often than not,you also have those guys who let their feeble little fingers put things down in a post that will try to help those who have crossed the warranty line,wiggle their way around it,,And if the stealer is wise to their game all they end up with a bad case of attitude,both towards the dealer and the guy who pointed them in the direction towards the M-M Act(claiming it would back them),,I've had my battles with the dealer as we all have and upon the second KDP breakage(after bombing)knew it was my baby to handle,so when I was informed it would be put back together to "factory"specs,the tow truck was called and out may ride went to a reputable shop who did what I asked and paid for,,One thing you failed to mention when you started this was those who try to use scare tactics and false information to make some think they have their best interest at heart,when in reality all they want to do is hear themselves speak,,Bottom line is this. . If your stock with a warranty and you have a good dealer,enjoy it,because there are guys here that would love to say that,,Last but not least,if your B. O. M. B. ing mission calls,step up to the plate and quit sniveling,your a big boy now,you made the decision,stand by it... Repeat after me. . "I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION"..... Its much cheaper(money saved from not buying extended warranty makes more money in bank when and if you need it)and you do not have to argue with the service writer to get answers,,Now am I saying void your warranties,certainly not,what I am saying is if you've stepped up to the plate(mods have begun),bring your bat and helmet and play long ball,,Don't bunt and expect to play around the warranty man blocking the plate and expect to score,hit it high,far and gone-then STEP ON HIS HANDS as you cross,,You know your work is at a better rate and done with much better satisfaction than their parts exchangers,,Plus you smile more as the satisfaction of a job well done is revealed everytime you twist the key and light her off... .....

 

[Briar Hopper]

Knocking one outa the ballpark for Hammer... . see ya at the pulls, man! And thanks for the kind words. You too, HDH.

No mistaking what you said, Hammer, we do have a clown or two or three around here, just waiting to pop that broken 8-track tape back into the player, and scare a few more people that can't really see the big picture...