Is an extended warranty worth it ?

[Ms Grumpy]

When I bought my 2008 Toyota 4 1/2 years ago I argued with David about buying the extended warranty. He argued that it is money that we would just throw away, especially since we would pay interest on it because it would be financed.

Go back to June of this year. I took the Toyota in for its regular service/maintenance which included a tire rotation. OK, nothing out of the ordinary, except when I picked up the car I had a small vibration at higher speeds. So the next week I take the car back to the dealership and tell them to take the car out on the road and drive it at a higher speed to feel the vibration. After sitting there for 2 hours they come back and tell me that it is probably the tires and that it should go away. I knew better, but they wanted nothing to do with me. So I take my car home and do short drives, no long trips in the Toyota.

Fast Forward to last Wednesday. My van was full of Davids crap and I needed to go to my Niece's house to help her prepare Thanksgiving Dinner. I picked up my mom and we headed out to my niece's. I felt the vibration, and so did my mom, I think it actually was starting to freak her out. Now it was not a car shaking vibration, it was when you got on the gas you felt a small vibration. Steering wheel didn't shake so I knew it was not the tires, it had to be something else. Well as I was heading back to my moms I noticed that the vibration was starting a lower and lower speeds. By the time I got to my moms I could feel the vibrations at 35mph.

After dropping my mom off I decided to just go to a Toyota dealership that was close to her house, not the one I had previously taken the car to. After explaining the problem to the Service rep. he said they would take a look and let me know if it was the tires and that it would cost me $98.00 to have them balance the tires. A little outrageous on the price, but OK, if that is the problem I just wanted it fixed.

So I sat in the waiting room for almost 3 hours. The way this dealership is, you can see into the service area. It was probably 45min before I saw my car in the service area (I didn't have an appointment and they took it for a test drive so I don't think that's too bad). I saw them take all 4 tires off and I saw them checking out all the brakes. When they got to the front end there were a couple of guys at first looking, then there were 3, then 4, then there were 5 guys checking out the front end. As soon as they were there, they were gone. I saw the guy who had originally started on my car, start working on another car. I sat there for another 30 minutes till the service manager came out and told me that it was a bad bearing and that they could not get the part til Friday. YEAH ! I have an answer, and it will be fixed, and it is under warranty. No cost, even better.

I missed the call on Friday morning from the dealership. So before we called them back, David and I had to figure out a time to tell them that we will be there to pick it up. Since I was driving we decided to have David call and talk to Brian the service manager. After being on hold forever, Brian came on the phone and told David that they would need the car a little longer. Brian told David that the problem was a lot bigger than anticipated. As they were taking the part off that needed to be replaced, they found another problem, then as they took another part off, they found another problem. It turns out that I need a new transmission and front axle. HOLY CRAP ! David asked how much this was going to cost. If I didn't have the platinum warranty, it would have been extremely costly, since I had the warranty, everything is covered.

So it will probably be at least a week til I get my car back. Hopefully fixed, but my concern is that it will not drive the same. I guess I need to keep a positive attitude, but to have the transmission & front axle replaced at 36,000 miles ??....I am just glad it is covered.

[shadowgray396]

Most likely your extended warranty is not going to be used for this repair. On 2008 the warranty is 36,000 miles basic coverage and the drive train is 60,000 miles so it is covered under the standard warranty. I'm a Dave Ramsey fan and he say never buy an extended warranty. I have purchased them before and have never used one yet. When the dealership sells you one they make around 50% profit on them and any seal coat or any thing extra they can sell you. They also make money if you finance it for you. So for me they are a total rip off. I now ask them if they don't have any faith in their product.

[Ms Grumpy]

And here I thought that I did something smart.

That's OK. I am just happy that it will be fixed. I just thought that buying the 6yr, 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty would be worth the cost.

[shadowgray396]

I got the extended warranty to 100k when I purchased my 2005 Toyota Tundra, 105,000 on it and never used it. When I purchased my wife new car I said no since again it is good til 60,000. I have to admit we have had good luck with most of our cars,

[BillsCamino]

Total waste of $$$...especially if it is NOT provided by the original vehicle Manufacturer.

[Ms Grumpy]

I get it, maybe it was a waste. I still have time left on it. But for now I am going to let David believe that it was because I talked him into the warranty. Cause I for sure don't want to tell him that he was right. I will never hear the end of it.

[fleming23]

I have one on my Acura to cover bumper to bumper until 100k miles (not that I am worried about the powertrain but the other little crap that wears out in the interior is usually what gets me.)

Anyway, when sold to me I was informed that if I never use the warranty it is 100% refundable once the time period expires.

Not sure how I'll make out but the fact that it is there if I need it and if not used, I get it back sold me. I am guessing they bank of people either selling or forgetting before the extended warranty expires.

[shadowgray396]

"Anyway, when sold to me I was informed that if I never use the warranty it is 100% refundable once the time period expires."

I have never had any luck getting a refund for one. They find a way toget out of it. You also need to remember about 50% of what you paid for it went into the dealers pocket.

[Ms Grumpy]

I am finding out a lot about how these warranties work and I am kinda surprised that grandsport hasn't chimed in on this one. Thanks guys.

[Hank70SS]

It's insurance and like any insurance they're in business to make money. They know the odds of having to pay out any money. There is a chance you could make out by having the extended warranty but face it, they know the odds and they're not in business to pay out.