Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

[Gwfl]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

These cars need an extended waranty, they're loaded with problems from minor to major. I bought the extended for less then $800. (7 yr. or 36k) and just had to replace the AC compressor (second one within 5,000 miles). Would have been $958. but cost me $o.

Gary

[ScottyNeutron]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

If you even think you might be selling in the near future, an extended warranty is an absolute must. I bought an ESP "Extra Care" Warranty from FORD, through one of the online dealers selling them at a discount (google "discount ford warranties"). The good thing about these warranties is that you can stipulate the number of years' coverage and the mileage and the deductible to get to the level of affordability vs. coverage that you want.

Further, EVERY Ford I've ever owned has had tranny problems along the way, and I know these Thunderbirds are no exception. I consider it cheap insurance if you plan to keep it, and an excellent selling feature if you plan to sell it.

[Rondor]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

I bought it on my '04 because when I saw it at the dealer it had 2 bad COP's, which they fixed, before I bought it. I did not however buy the dealers waranty which was a little cheaper but covered a lot less. I bought through my credit union and hope I never need but likely I will. You are right,,, it is strictly a gamble, pay now ir pay later but you will pay. At todays cost and the requirements to work on theese cars one repair could easily put you ahead of the game. It has become a dealer only option for repairs

[fums6]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

Only if you need it and then like any insurance it's worth its weight in gold.

[sdman]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

GET IT !!!! Mine paid for itself in just 1 year. Still have 35k and 4 years left on it.
Needed upper and lower ball joints, due to dry rot. COST was $2500. CD player stopped loading.Cost was $500. All covered under ext warranty. Not a penny out of pocket. well worth it in my case.

[FEsTbird]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

I had just about decided to risk going ahead without extending the warranty on my 2003, but then I read through Sugardaddy's experience with his Black Bird's steering and decided to extend again. I got by most of the extra expense of "qualifying" by having it done with my regular service. I agree with the idea of peace of mind.

[jerrym3]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

It's like most insurances. You don't need it unless you need it.

[sauernote]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

I took my 2002 in for an oil and filter change yesterday, and they discovered a leaky air conditioner compressor. Lucky for me, as I'm driving to Northern Arizona on Friday. I haven't picked it up yet, but the service advisor said it's about a $1000 repair. Because of the extended warranty, I'm out the $100 deductible plus a few dollars tax on the "free" rental car. I also had all 8 COPs replaced under warranty last year. I'm VERY glad I bought the extra 4 years on top of the original 7 years.

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

My advise.....get it!. I had to use it one time and would have cost me $1900.00 instead of the $100 deductible

[sauernote]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

My saga continues. The service advisor called earlier today saying that there was a new Ford policy of only pre-authorizing up to $900 worth of warranty work (previously $1500 max.) without a review or inspection by Ford factory people. (Shades of an HMO) The total bill for the air conditioner compressor is approaching $1500 with labor. So, the service guy calls Ford, and they ask if the customer complained about the air conditioning not working. The service guy says no; the leak was detected during the routine servicing. Ford then says that it's not covered and the dealership should not be "selling warranty work" unless the customer has a complaint. Even the rental car is not included because the car was not "broken down."

Bottom line: the dealership talked them into covering everything. The service advisor said it was going to be a "black mark" against him--whatever that means. It should be ready at 10 am tomorrow, so we shall see what the final bill is.

Advice: make sure you actually complain about a problem if you want it covered under a Premium Care ESP extended warranty.

[sauernote]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

The warranty work was $1641 to fix the air conditioning. Gulp!! Ford covered everything but the $100 deductible and the tax ($6) on the 2 day rental car.
Glad I have the warranty for another 3 years.

[FEsTbird]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

Now I have two stories to make me feel better to have spent the money on Premium Extended Warranty. It is effective today and my old one lapsed on July 3--fortunately nothing happened in between.

[lmartun]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

I recently purchased my 2003 Tbird, with 38000 miles. I had my vehicle completely inspected at my local Ford dealer and everything is fine. My question, is it worth the expense of buying an "Extended Warranty", thru Ford. I was quoted around $1250 for 3yr/36000 additional miles with their "Premium Plan" plus a $125 inspection fee?? Reading the threads you hear from people who, unfortunately, have or had problems, but are they the "Exception"? Thank you

Hi:

I am a Finance manager at a Ford dealer. I sell the Premium Care ESP to all of my customers. I helped many TBN members get their ESP last year and a few this year. The $1250 quote for 36/36000 is fair. You can get 48/48000 for $1,480 using the same mark up they gave you for the 36/36000.

Now, some say it is a crap shoot and this is true, but if you lose you can lose BIG. I tell my customers that if this were washing machine I woudn't waste their time on it, but this is a car and you can't just leave it on the curb for the junk collecter if it cracks up. If nothing happens to it you bought peace of mind, but if something bad happens you'll be very happy you had the Premium Care ESP.

Let me know if you have any questions. I am open to any questions from any TBN member. My office number is 630-925-7590.


Lou

[Rocket56]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

I bought the extended warranty last month when I bought my Bond Bird. The price was very little for 72 months/100K plan on an '03 with less than 3K on the clock. Still you never know down the road, so I figured it was worth the extra. So far I've racked up a whopping 100 miles since then! Sixty of that was getting it home from the dealer.
My 2 cents worth. Good luck and enjoy your new T-bird!

[MATBird]

Re: Are extended Warranty's worth expence?

Hi:
I am a Finance manager at a Ford dealer. I sell the Premium Care ESP to all of my customers. I helped many TBN members get their ESP last year and a few this year. The $1250 quote for 36/36000 is fair. You can get 48/48000 for $1,480 using the same mark up they gave you for the 36/36000.
Now, some say it is a crap shoot and this is true, but if you lose you can lose BIG. I tell my customers that if this were washing machine I woudn't waste their time on it, but this is a car and you can't just leave it on the curb for the junk collecter if it cracks up. If nothing happens to it you bought peace of mind, but if something bad happens you'll be very happy you had the Premium Care ESP.
Let me know if you have any questions. I am open to any questions from any TBN member. My office number is 630-925-7590.
Lou

Good post Lou - As people will say, there's +'s and -'s to everything, but it's still individual choice and Lou's statement of "peace of mind " is right on.