I may be doing something stupid, talk to me about aftermarket warranties.

"itschrome" (itschrome)
03/29/2016 at 00:11 • Filed to: None

Are there good ones? And of so what are they?

Ps: the stupid thing i may do

DISCUSSION (63)

dogisbadob > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 00:19

They are scams

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > dogisbadob
03/29/2016 at 00:22

The Buick or the warranty?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 00:23

Buy a Toyota and don’t worry about it.

dogisbadob > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 00:23

oh, the warranty

The picture didn’t load when I posted the comment :p

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > dogisbadob
03/29/2016 at 00:23

I’m thinking the Buick.

smobgirl > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 00:24

I’m gonna refer you to Steve Lehto, but no. I wouldn’t do it. CarMax - yes, manufacturer extended warranty - sure (but bargain for it), third party - don’t bother.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > dogisbadob
03/29/2016 at 00:24

I’m still thinking the Buick is the real scam here.

itschrome > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 00:25

Both?

itschrome > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 00:27

Haha, I mean probably but im curious if there are extended warranties that work.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 00:37

This might actually be really good advice incoming... My parents own an auto repair shop and occasionally we have customers that come in with these aftermarket warranties. They are usually a big pain to deal with for both the customer and the shop. The only ones we have found to be a non-hassle are from CarMax. Most of our customers just suck up and pay for the repair because we have provide a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on all of our work and parts and they know we will take care of them.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 00:41

They’re a scam.

itschrome > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 01:04

I wish carmax was in my budget but even their cheapest car is out of reach for me.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 01:25

Like I said, just get yourself a nice toyota/lexus and be forever happyn

46and2aheadofme > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 02:02

No. They're a business. But if you think you’ve found the first one that’s a good value, I’d be happy to review the language for you and discuss!

46and2aheadofme > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 02:06

Carmax’s rep is that their warranties are better, but they charge more for that. It’s a business, if these companies are going to take the risk they’re going to put a big dollar amount on that broad risk. Better to research and inspect the car yourself and understand the risk of this exact purchase. IMHO.

46and2aheadofme > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 02:06

And bored.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 02:21

Contrary to popular belief, not all aftermarket warranties are scams. Shady? Many are, but they not quite fraudulent much of the time from what I’ve seen.

For that car, probably not worth it. Actually in my opinion not worth it unless you’re buying something with very expensive parts that’s not known for being terribly reliable to begin with; such as anything premium or higher from Europe.

Ask multiple service advisors their experience with warranty companies. IIRC a company called Zurich (I think?) is supposed to be quite good. Avoid First Automotive. Can’t remember any others off the top of my head since I don’t really deal with them.

The two most important pieces of advice I can offer when choosing a plan:

1. READ THE FINE PRINT TO DETERMINE WHAT IS ACTUALLY COVERED. Lower and mid level plans often don’t cover things such as gaskets, seals, and hoses or consequential damage from non-covered parts failing. They also rarely cover extra miscellaneous required parts such as bolts and nuts if they’re the type that have to be replaced every time. So, but the highest level plan available because those typically cover “all parts of the vehicle” or something along those lines.

2. KEEP ALL OF YOUR PAPERWORK AT ALL TIMES AND IF THEY DENY COVERAGE READ THROUGH YOUR CONTACT YOURSELF. These companies will sometimes deny coverage just because the actual part description doesn’t exactly match the wording in the contract even though the part is exactly the same (such as door lock versus door latch).

You should also know that there are dissent types of plans. There are your typical service contracts, commonly referred to as warranties, that cover part failures. There are maintenance plans that only cover wear items and fluid changes. There are tire coverage plans, self explanatory. There are lockout and key plans, that cover, well, lockouts and keys. And probably even some more obscure ones than that.

If you do decide to get one of these, buy it from a person you can speak face to face with at an established business such as a dealership, and I don’t mean Uncle Joe’s Crazy Cheap Wholesale Cars. That way you have someone to chase if something goes wrong with the warranty down the road. It may not get you anywhere, but it’s better than chasing a bankrupt and defunct ghost. Ask them how long they’ve been selling that particular warranty, what their experience has been like with that company, ask their service advisors about that company and their plans. And don’t pay more than $3-3500 for a top of the line everything covered plan with at least three years of coverage. Make sure you can cancel at any time and get refunded a pro-rated amount. Also be aware that some have clauses as to the maximum they will pay for the life of the plan, which is often around trade-in value at the time of repair.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > dogisbadob
03/29/2016 at 02:24

Not all of them. My shop works with then frequently. The is a wide berth between good and bad ones though, and I hesitate to call the good ones such compared to many other companies in different industries that would be considered good.

boxrocket > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 06:59

Avoid the Lucerne. It’s an Impala with even more electrical problems.

For warranties, stick with ones sold through nation-wide companies like CarMax, and get the lowest deductible you can afford, because problems tend to happen most when you can’t afford them. According to DeMuro and some research I’ve done, CarMax’s warranties cover just about everything except items designed to wear out (brakes, hoses, belts, tires) and exhaust, and include rental and towing coverages.

Tripper > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 08:24

For the most part they are a waste. I bought one with my E90 M3 (through Zurich) for obvious reasons. It was expensive and I didn’t do my homework, so I was covered under both the CPO and Zurich warranties for almost 6 months. I would buy another one, but only on a car that has the potential to be really expensive to repair.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 08:47

And a Buick is better?? It really does not get worse then stuck up BMW people.

itschrome > Tripper
03/29/2016 at 08:56

which the car in question most definitely can be. or it could not be. these early to mid GM’s are a crap shoot. Could run for 200k, could die at 80k... I really should just walk away.. Should.....

itschrome > boxrocket
03/29/2016 at 08:57

but will they sell them for a car not bought at carmax. I should have asked them when i was there yesterday.

itschrome > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/29/2016 at 08:59

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Yeah that sums up the car in question perfectly. I’ll check out this Zurich, thank you for the advice it exactly what I was looking for.

itschrome > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 09:02

naturally they are a buisness, but so is car insurance. I’ve paid them more than I’ve ever used them but it’s nice to have for when you do need it. So yeah if there was something legit, even if i don’t make all my money back in the long run it’s a great safety net if something truely fucked happened.

Tripper > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 09:24

Good warranties aren’t cheap, so if you’re worried about a $1500-$2000 repair/service I would skip it. If there are any common failures that cost more than 2k, then you might want to consider the warranty.

Throttle actuators were a common problem on the E90, I had to replace one under warranty a month after I bought it. Would have cost me $1200...for an actuator. I’m pretty sure that the second one was ready to kick it right before I traded it.

I had no problem in dealing with Zurich though, as I think others have mentioned they are one of the best companies to go with. They were very responsive and cut me a check for the balance of the warranty right after I traded the M3.

Hooker > boxrocket
03/29/2016 at 09:29

I thought it was a DTS with more electrical problems? LaCrosse was an Impala with similar.

Matt Nichelson > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 09:48

Yeah! BMW owners are just the worst!

Oh wait.....

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Matt Nichelson
03/29/2016 at 09:53

“stuck up BMW people”

citizennick > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 09:54

I mean, it depends. Back when I had a 1994 RX7 my aftermarket warranty got me a new engine & transmission.

Matt Nichelson > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 09:57

I just like to play along with it. It’s all in good fun to me.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > boxrocket
03/29/2016 at 09:58

Lucerne is basically a DTS without as many toys. Nice car. I recommend one over the cadillac because you can avoid the northstar and get the V6.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Hooker
03/29/2016 at 09:59

DTS with fewer* problems since it has fewer toys and you don’t have to get the northstar V8. Though the northstar is an option.....

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Matt Nichelson
03/29/2016 at 10:01

It just bothers me that people(most seem to be late model BMW owners, M5 in this guys pic) don’t know that you don’t have to own a BMW in order to have fun... I bash on reliability because thats a known and quantifiable factor. Any car can be fun, just less fun when it’s in the shop all the time and you’re spending stupid amounts of money *cough BMW cough*

46and2aheadofme > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 10:03

Huh? Not sure where that came from.

Anyways, when it comes to aftermarket warranties, the make of your car doesn’t matter because the fine print ensures that they will deny your claim for most issues. Being a “stuck up BMW owner,” I know this because I’ve read many aftermarket warranties start to finish. They are scams.

And yes, I think the Buick is more interesting than a Camry (would that be the cross-comparison?) But hey, that’s just me. I’ve never driven either.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 10:05

Every Toyota is not a Camry or a Prius. Opinions are not supposed to be wrong but yours is.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 10:06

Huh. I had no idea. I assumed it was more like 90's Buicks.

DutchieDC2R > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 10:09

Really? You are talking about ‘Stuck up BMW owners’ but are acting like a stuck up dude yourself? And why the f*ck are you posting your response on the FP?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > DutchieDC2R
03/29/2016 at 10:11

How am I acting stuck up? Because I am defending someone saying that my experience of having fun in a Toyota is null?

46and2aheadofme > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 10:17

Jesus, every thread, it never ends. FYI, I drove chevy trucks for most of my life, had a honda and a VW, and I recommend Toyotas regularly to people that they’re right for. I have no brand allegiances. So can we start over here?

itschrome > Tripper
03/29/2016 at 10:18

the biggest thing I’m worried about on this car is that it has the Magneride, also Northstar. It’s a post ‘02 so really I’m not super worried about that. Also the GM 4t80E transmission is more or less as problematic as the 4t60e. which basically means a rebuild between 120 and 140k.

46and2aheadofme > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 10:18

Yeah... I said business to be nice but I really meant scam. It’s a false safety net. The contracts are written to give them a reason to deny your claim for most anything. CarMax is the exception, but they charge a premium for that.

46and2aheadofme > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/29/2016 at 10:21

This is great advice, thanks. You’re right, they are not technically scams, they are “not quite fraudulent.” I’ll use that phrasing from now on.

I have a different opinion though on buying an aftermarket warranty from a car dealer. I’ve found that they offer the worst ones and they are significantly marked up. Also, they roll it into the financing to pad their bottom line, so now you’re paying interest on it too. Better to go direct. But again, that’s just MY experience/opinion (I don’t feel like I should have to put that disclaimer at the end of every comment).

itschrome > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/29/2016 at 10:25

not the CSX. the CSX is more or less the same as a 2003 Cadillac Seville. Lots of the same features, Northstar drive train, also has the Magneride, interdependent suspension, ect, ect... the base model is more like a 98 Lesaber. 3.8 v6, 4t60 tranny, FE1 suspension, basic shit.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 10:27

Oh ok, now I understand. I know nothing of Buicks after ~2000, thought they were all more or less the same up until the bailout or so.

jasmits > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 10:28

Hey it’s never in the shop, just in pieces in my garage.

Jokes aside, besides the achilles-heel cooling system my 4 cylinder e36 is no more or less reliable than any other mid 90's 4 cylinder vehicle, but at this point in its life it has had more owners that cared enough to stay on top of routine maintenance over many other vehicles and I only paid a small premium for a vehicle that commanded a much larger premium new.

I agree you can have fun with anything(used to be a Volvo guy, had tons of fun with that too and want another in the future) but to me 80s and 90s BMWs generally provide the best balance of price, reliability, being easy to work on, and fun.

DutchieDC2R > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 10:34

I’m pretty sure he never said YOUR experience was null, it’s become nearly a generalised opinion among carguys that Toyota and/or Lexus products are, generally, boring. I share that opinion, I have to admit, and yeah, I know, not every Toyota is a Camry or a Prius, but its pretty much a generalisation and let’s face it, it’s not like Toyota is working hard to change that thought either.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > jasmits
03/29/2016 at 10:36

The older BMWs are really cool and the owners tend to be just as cool. Also those engines are pretty nice. I said it in another reply but it’s always the late model BMW drivers that do this. And they don’t use their turn signals... And cant park...

46and2aheadofme > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 10:38

If you need the peace of mind and financial safety net of a warranty, maybe you could give us your budget and requirements (4-door sedan?) and let oppo help with a CarMax search? I find folks on here find gems in unlikely places. And then our brand bashing would be relevant to the question :)

And I shall go check out Zurich that AMGtech mentioned and return with an opinion.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > DutchieDC2R
03/29/2016 at 10:39

Those are 2 models that all the stereotypes are made off of.

Kinja'd!!!

46and2aheadofme > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 10:48

Oh, another good option I just thought of... check and see if the manufacturer will offer a warranty on it. I just skimmed Buick’s website and it looks like you’d have to purchase from a Buick dealer, hard to tell. Some manufacturers will offer warranties even if you don’t buy from their dealer. Call the manufacturer if you have time, websites are of crappy source of info on this kind of detailed question.

46and2aheadofme > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 11:05

OK, so I wasn’t able to find a sample contract from Zurich to review. I did find a lot of complaints about them, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything because you’ll find lots of complaints about any insurance-type company. I’d need a copy of the language to analyze it fairly...

I did find a Zurich brochure and it illustrates the type of thing to look for when you read through whatever coverage you’re considering buying. Many of the covered parts have *, **, or *** next to them, which denotes:

* Not covered if car was over 100K miles when purchased

** This non-internally-lubricated part only covered if damaged as a result of another covered internally lubricated part

*** Only covered if required in connection with the repair of a covered part.

Scam? Not quite. Scamm-y, or not quite fraudulent as AMGtech so eloquently put it? Yeah. Those are some big exceptions.

Sorry for the walls of text.

To sum up: If (1) they offer clear and reasonable coverage, and (2) they have good customer service and don’t have a track record of just denying every claim (common), and (3) the coverage is worth the cost, then it’s worth considering. But I searched and searched when I bought my two latest expensive-to-repair vehicles and I wasn’t able to find a used car warranty company that checked all those three boxes for me.

itschrome > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 11:08

I never thought of that! I’ll look into it, thanks

itschrome > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 11:10

car max is simpley out of my price range. 8k MAX, 4 door, mid to full size, less than 80k (much less is preferred), doesn’t need to be top of the line but not base would be nice (IE i want decent sound system), wheels would be nice vs Steelies.

edit: wagons are A-OK!

itschrome > 46and2aheadofme
03/29/2016 at 11:13

yeah see that’s all basically what I assume. My perfect car i think would be a mid level mid size with decent options at about 50 to 60k. that warranty would buy me about 3 years peace of mind, then I could unload her.

Hooker > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
03/29/2016 at 11:32

You’re right. I just sold a Deville and showed no signs of problems (57K miles 2002 model) but just two days later the water pump took a shit on the new owner’s driveway. Those things are ticking time bombs with their Northstar motors. I still, however, love them.

Matt Nichelson > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
03/29/2016 at 11:36

I agree completely. I own mine because I do enjoy it. I know things can get expensive, just part of owning one unfortunately. I definitely didn’t get it just because it’s a BMW. The stereotype is unfortunate, but like you said, it’s that certain crowd that causes it.

boxrocket > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 12:54

Yeah, only on cars they sell.

boxrocket > Hooker
03/29/2016 at 12:57

You’re quite right! I confused the buick L-names.

boxrocket > Hooker
03/29/2016 at 12:59

You’re quite right! I confused the buick L-names.

I wouldn’t recommend any though.

itschrome > Hooker
03/29/2016 at 12:59

yes, it’s basically a DTS but only not stupid looking.

Hooker > itschrome
03/29/2016 at 14:30

This. The proportions and overall design of the Buick (and most Buicks) have held up incredibly well over the years. Especially when compared to their Cadillac cousins.

itschrome > Hooker
03/29/2016 at 16:45

minus the 4th Gen Seville.