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Should I buy an extended warranty?

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Old 03-22-2007, 08:12 AM
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Default Should I buy an extended warranty?

Should I buy an extended warranty? It'll cover my Z28's drivetrain for another 5yrs/100,000 miles. I currently have 141,000 miles on it so far. Is it really worth it? Do you think in the event something happens with the block, they'll try to void it due to mods made?

Oh, it'll cost me a little over $1400?
Old 03-22-2007, 12:36 PM
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I had a similar delima when I bought my SS. I did a little research and spoke to some ppl in the auto business. The conclusion that I came to was that barring something catostrophic, I would NEVER get my money out of that warranty. With proper maintenance, what are the chances of you blowing the motor or trans? Keep in mind that I don't race or generally beat the **** outta my car, either. My only mods are !CAGS, SLP lid, and Magnaflow.
You have a very valid point about denying your claims b/c of your mods. They most certainly will on the grounds of "abuse". In my research, I found that MOST "Extendend Warranties" are really Service Contracts written by a third party. Do some research on the company that you're looking at (Google "Whatevercompany Complaints") and draw your own conclusions.
On a final note, one of my buddies is a former GM tech, now works for Snap-On diagnostics. He says that in the business, they call these contracts the "Sucker Tax".
Old 03-22-2007, 12:38 PM
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@ Sucker Tax
Old 03-22-2007, 12:42 PM
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Not worth it IMO.....spend that $1400 on a budget heads/cam setup
Old 03-22-2007, 12:51 PM
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Is that warranty something you received in the mail from a private company? If so, dont do it! From what I hear they are a pain in the *** to deal with in the event that something goes wrong, and modifications will void it. Put that money in a bank account and use that as a warranty,or should I say a guarantee that you will have a means of getting your car fixed.
Old 03-22-2007, 02:56 PM
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I got one from GM when I bought my SS. The car is on it's 3rd drive shaft, has gone through two window motors, and probably a dozen other non-wear/tear items. If I did the work myself I'd probably come close to breaking even, if I brought it to the dealership the warranty would have paid for itself long ago. The car is my DD and I'm a noob when it comes to repairs, so I need the thing done ASAP for school/work. If you have the time to tinker yourself, screw the warranty. If you need the car, a warranty isn't a bad idea, as long as it's GM. Also, if you do decide to get one, call up your dealership and ask them how much **** they're gonna give you because of your mods before you buy.
Old 03-22-2007, 03:12 PM
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I used to buy extended warranties all the time when I bought a new car. But in the end, I never got my money's worth out of them.

These days I will not buy one unless the dealer is willing to sell it for a stupidly low price. Otherwise, I will take my chances without it.
Old 03-22-2007, 07:30 PM
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It's a ***** out crap shoot and they know it. You won't know if you will get your money's worth until you can look back on it.
Old 03-22-2007, 08:25 PM
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thats pretty cheap for that warranty....lets just say my $2000 dollar 2 year warranty paid for itself literaly 5 times over....pm me for details...
Old 03-22-2007, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by staringback05
thats pretty cheap for that warranty....lets just say my $2000 dollar 2 year warranty paid for itself literaly 5 times over....pm me for details...
Damn, you got to use all the money that I never recovered on my warranties!

You can send me a check if you want. I can send you my mailing address.
Old 03-22-2007, 10:31 PM
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When my M6 went, the warranty co. blamed it on the cat back! wtf Never paid a dime. I reported them to the BBB and no response.

DON'T DO IT!!!
Old 03-22-2007, 10:40 PM
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yea, ur just gonna void the warranty when you do any mods to the car. i bought a warranty with mine $600 lol i thought i was gonna keep it stock....look at my sig
Old 03-22-2007, 11:23 PM
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free 10 bolts

or a 12 bolt from the saved money by not getting it.

hmmm..
Old 03-22-2007, 11:50 PM
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Originally Posted by staringback05
thats pretty cheap for that warranty....lets just say my $2000 dollar 2 year warranty paid for itself literaly 5 times over....pm me for details...
Yeah you definetly got your moneys worth. I on the other hand would have my car paid off right know if I did't opt for that 2k extended warranty. Never had to use the warranty just wasted 2k but you know if I did't have it the damn motor, tranny and rearend would have all exploded at once.
Old 03-22-2007, 11:58 PM
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i got a warranty on mine from the ford dealer i got it from for 800. so far it has needed a few seals and the trans has been rebuilt twice (never actually needed it though, it had a 5.0 shifter when i got it and at the time i didnt know they made noise so i took it to 2 different dealers the first dealer rebuilt the trans but the noise was still there so i took it to another and they rebuilt it too, then they said the noise was becuaes the shifter did not have the rubber bushibng like stock.) so i got my money's worth 3 times over but it is like everyone else said a crap shot. however with the cam and LT's and ory i have now, i have a feeling they would not do anymore warranty work for me lol.
Old 03-23-2007, 12:12 AM
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So the warrenty will last you untill the car has 241,000 miles on it?? Something doesn't sound right. Most companies wont sell Protection plans unless the car has less than 100,000 miles on it. Check into it buddy. Might have to read the fine print if you even qualify.
Old 03-23-2007, 08:41 AM
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the cool thing on mine was that i got paid by the warranty company to replace my motor....this last motor came with another 3 year 75k mile warranty...standard with the motor........my built tranny came with a 1 year warranty....
Old 03-23-2007, 08:58 AM
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as a finance manager in a dealership, it's my job to present these options for the customer. in some cases, it's worth it, in other's it is not. For your car with a 141,000 miles on it, usually there is NOTHING available for a car with that mileage on it. We go through Resource Automotive Group and GMPP for those warranties.

and usually there is different prices/cost for different mileages. Are you really gonna drive this car 20k miles PER year even if that coverage WAS available? If you are only gonna drive 10k miles per year, than they should have offered you a 5 year/50k mile warranty. it'd be a good bit cheaper for you as well.

all the GM certified used cars are automatically given a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. but you can only certify a car if it's under 60k miles and newer than 02 if i remember right. but figure a car that was sold Jan '02 is out of warranty because the 5 years was up as of Jan '07.

In your case, even if it's available, i wouldn't do it, just for the simple fact that you could put that money towards saving for a refresh with forged internals. It won't cover any of the electrical/ignition aspects of the drivetrain anyways.
Old 03-23-2007, 09:02 AM
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I would get the one from the dealer, or one that your dealer says is easy to work with, but otherwise I'd say no. Be sure and read exactly what it covers. I got the warranty on my 99 T/A and I did get my money back and then some. I bought it on my 05 Cavalier and that car has been rock solid, so I haven't used the warranty.
Old 03-24-2007, 09:25 PM
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I just got my car back from the dealer and they fixed everything that needed to be done. I have a Autonation platinum 5yr 75k extened warranty. The service adviser said with parts and labor I came even with the 2k I spent on the warranty.



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