Warranty Almost Up

[Gwfl]

My original warranty is up next month and I haven't really been driving the car much (2005 w/16k) only 1,100 miles in 9 months. Although I plan to get the extended warranty this month I'm wondering if I should take the car to the dealer or an independant mechanic to have it "gone over" to look for any possible warranty work to get done before the warranty expires.

Going to the dealer would probably be self defeating and an independant guy may not really know the car well enough to tell one way or another...what do you guys think. I have not had any issues with it since the water pump was replaced.

Gary

[redbirdsal]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

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The more I think about it, having your Baby checked out by an independent mechanic sounds better and better. I'd look through potential problems here, and make a list of things to look for.

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[Leroy]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

Gwfl, What's the difference if you're going to extend it with Ford anyway? Have you had the 15,000 mile service done, as per your existing Warranty? I just had mine done on my 04 at 14,000. They go over the car real good and check everything and rotate the tires and change the oil and filter. If you're planing on keeping the car, get the Premium Package, with zero deductable and add 36 months and you can choose how much additional mileage you think you need. I extended my 04 with the Premium Care till August of 2011 or 48,000 miles with zero deductable for $1800.00. I could've gotten more milage, but I don't think I'll need it as I only average about 4000 miles a year so far. Another point to consider is the resale value of your car is alot higher if it's under this warranty becuase it can transfer to the new owner also if your car is stolen or totaled the remainder of the warranty can be cashed in. The main thing is don't let it expire, and don't waste you money on a independent inspection. If you don't like your local Ford dealer go to a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, they'll honor your warranty. Leroy

[Johnny TBird]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

GARY -

I WOULD GO TO MY FORD SERVICE MANAGER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT......THEY KNOW YOUR TBIRD AND THEY HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO CHECK IT OUT GOOD....I WOULD ALSO GET A FORD EXTENDED WARRENTY....

HAPPY TRAILS

[redbirdsal]

Re: Warranty Almost Upnty

Now Fella's...do you really think the Dealership is going to thoroughly go over his car, and tell him what it needs - that's covered under warranty?

In my experience, you have to tell the Service Rep of a "problem." Once you tell them what's wrong...what it sounds or feels like...hopefully, they'll check it out, and if you're really lucky, they'll fix it.

Dealerships will tell you if you need fluid changes, new brakes, a new belt, etc...usually those are normal maintenance items and you'll pay for them (dearly) as a rule. That's the primary reason they do those Multi-point checks, it's how they make their $$. Charging you out the nose for labor, and parts.

BTW: Don't take their word for it if they tell you your problem isn't covered by your warranty. Don't do anything until you come home, and make a post about it.

And, Yes, by all means get an extended warranty.

[farmbird]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

Gary:
Just think of it: Next month will be the end of those annoying phone calls from the insurance companies trying to sell you their extended warranties that aren't worth the paper they are written on.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

Personally, I can't really see the wisdom of these extended warranties on the Thunderbirds especially if you're not using it for daily transportation which it doesn't sound like you are if you only have 1,000 miles in 9 months.

My philosophy is that if it breaks, I'll have it fixed. Remember it wasn't that long ago when most cars only came with 12 month and 12,000 mile warranties. Now cars are better than ever and people seem to be worried that they have have to spend a few dollars to maintain their car. Keeping my cars, most of which are paid for, beats buying a new one and making payments.

Besides with the financial condition of Ford, GM, and Chrysler; are you sure they'll be around long enough to honor your warranty?

[Leroy]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

The wisdom is, by having the warranty, should something malfunction, Ford will stand behind the cost of repairs and labor minus your deductable. If you choose to have a deductable. It's sort of like the wisdom you use when you get insurance on your car, your home, your health, even your life. Lenders might make you get insurance on your car and house if you owe them money, but only wisdom makes you get health, life and a extended warranty. Plus the warranty is transferable and cashable and I'll bet bet Ford will still be around after we're long gone. Just my 2 sence. Leroy

[00mustng]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

.....maybe you could request a safety inspection....It's required here for cars over 8 years old, or cars from out of the province....It's a document and there is a standard fee to perform the inspection....

[z06bigbird]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

The wisdom is, by having the warranty, should something malfunction, Ford will stand behind the cost of repairs and labor minus your deductable. If you choose to have a deductable. It's sort of like the wisdom you use when you get insurance on your car, your home, your health, even your life. Lenders might make you get insurance on your car and house if you owe them money, but only wisdom makes you get health, life and a extended warranty. Plus the warranty is transferable and cashable and I'll bet bet Ford will still be around after we're long gone. Just my 2 sence. Leroy

I am really gonna miss you guys when you are gone. Enuff of that. Now for the really important things in life: Can I have your parking spot? LOL

[z06bigbird]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

This situation is a very good example of why we all need to treat our service mgr and service writer very well. Tacos, burgers, Blue Bell, etc. I drop off goodies regularly even if I am just passing by the dealership. When my warr was running out on my Caddy CTS, the service mgr noticed that one of my $350 headlight bulbs had a ton of concentric cracks in/on it. (That was for the bulb, not the housing.) They swapped the bulb out that day. No cost to me. My GM extended warranty (starting a day or two later) would not have covered it because that was a cosmetic problem.

They also fixed the headliner (again cosmetic) cause one side seemed to shift by about 1/4 inch. Another job done at no cost to me.

Take care of your people. Life is a two way street. They will take care of you too.

The mechanics there also get goodies regularly. In return I get a ton of advice on fixing various items on a variety of my family's cars. One guy has been there since at least 1970, and he loves anything sweet.

[00mustng]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

....Ed, I find your approach quaint....and troubling. As the customer I expect a competent level of service, knowledge, courtesy without compromising my position as the customer. It's their job, for heaven's sake....They need me as a customer and I need them to service my vehicles. During my career, I was expected to be competent, knowledgeable, maintain standards and meet expectations.....without a box of donuts or a case of beer!

[Ediron]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

Dealer or independent ?? Why fix something that's not broke.Get an extended warranty if something breaks your covered.Ford or independent warranty ,mine an independent is worth the paper it's written on .Had two claims and they paid right away to the dealer thru Visa.Cost $1400 6yr /75K a lot cheaper than ford and i can go any were with it.
I forgot to add yesterday I have a $50 deductable and the company is Carchex

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

I am really gonna miss you guys when you are gone. Enuff of that. Now for the really important things in life: Can I have your parking spot? LOL

Hmm......do you mean when Leroy is dead; or when his warranty expires and he has to sell the T-Bird?

[z06bigbird]

Re: Warranty Almost Up

....Ed, I find your approach quaint....and troubling. As the customer I expect a competent level of service, knowledge, courtesy without compromising my position as the customer. It's their job, for heaven's sake....They need me as a customer and I need them to service my vehicles. During my career, I was expected to be competent, knowledgeable, maintain standards and meet expectations.....without a box of donuts or a case of beer!

I mess with a ton of cars. I buy very low mileage cars for myself and family. Like many car owners, I am obsessive compulsive about my cars being perfect. I know many of the service managers at dealers in San Antonio, and I probably visit 2 per week, just picking their brains about advice on cars. Much of this advice gets passed on to my friends and family in other cities.

In short, I do not want to be known as a PITA. (pain in the butt). Mechanics tell me that many customers (and dealer employees) are always asking for favors; that they never return the favor. I take up a certain amount of employee time where they could be making money. We (service mgr, service writer, a various mechanics) have also become friends.

Frankly, I ask service mgr who is best mechanic to work on a particular job. I also ask service writer to call me prior to spending over a certain amount.

I simply feel that I am returning the favor. I have always found that honey gets better results than vinegar. e.g., After having my (97 red Sedan de Ville, 27k miles) detailed, the driver outside mirror quit working. Rather than beating up the detailer or the service advisor, I approached the SA and told him that I do not know what happened while it was at dealership. I also told him that if the detail guy was going to have to pay for it, that I would not have the dealership repair it. (Detail guy makes $8/hr.)

Service advisor said he could arrange for wholesale pricing on parts.

24 hours later, mirror started working again. (too much water). Next day, I dropped off a bbq sandwhich for service writer, and informed him that I no longer had a problem, and that my car mirror was working properly. He was happy; I was happy.

I am not suggesting that we try to bribe dealerships. I honestly believe that if someone does me a favor, I need to return the favor.

Let me know if you and I need more dialogue on this topic. These are not bribes; they are a 'thank you.'

Sincerely,
Ed