Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

[Katxoxo]

I purchased the Ford ESP through Lou Martun (thank you Lou!) for my 2003 DSB with 66,500 miles at the time of purchase (one year ago). Gratefully, I did not need to use it.

I now, as many of you are aware, I recently bought a 2005 Torch Red Bird with 12,500 miles on it. I am toying with another warranty purchase. What would YOU do?

And, would you purchase a Ford ESP OR - a CarMax (where I purchased my bird) warranty? From what I gather, I don't need to see a Ford dealer for my repairs AND they cover the car LONGER and have few restrictions however I cannot get any real data with a search online (with the exception of a few poorly written emotional reviews).

Anyone ever purchase a CarMax Warranty on any car? Opinions/experience wanted.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I think you would have to go almost line item by line item to make a valid comparison and be able to determine which warranty would be best for your needs.

I would also speak with some highly respected service shops to see how they feel about CarMax warranty coverage and their experiences while dealing with them.

I think this would give you a better sense as to which coverage fits you.

[Katxoxo]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

Thanks, Mike.

[Ediron]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I have a Carchex extended warranty.It was less money with longer time and more miles.Mine is 6yr 75K.I've had no problem with them and my dealer hasn't .They make a call to an 800 # get approval and receive there money. You can Google them and read there contract.

[Southern]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

When talking extended warranties, the first thing to check is whether it is an inclusive or an exclusive plan.

Ford ESP is an Inclusive plan.
What that means is that they list everything that is covered.
If it is not listed, it is not covered.

Exclusive plans cover the whole car, except the things that they list.


Since you are an experienced Tbird Pilot, you know what to look for........


I don't know which kind of plan a Carmax Warranty is.

[Sandman]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

Kathleen, I know you were to take your new Bird to your Ford Dealer for a complete inspection today,any surprises?

[5bird7]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I purchased the Ford ESP through Lou Martun (thank you Lou!) for my 2003 DSB with 66,500 miles at the time of purchase (one year ago). Gratefully, I did not need to use it.

I now, as many of you are aware, I recently bought a 2005 Torch Red Bird with 12,500 miles on it. I am toying with another warranty purchase. What would YOU do?

And, would you purchase a Ford ESP OR - a CarMax (where I purchased my bird) warranty? From what I gather, I don't need to see a Ford dealer for my repairs AND they cover the car LONGER and have few restrictions however I cannot get any real data with a search online (with the exception of a few poorly written emotional reviews).

Anyone ever purchase a CarMax Warranty on any car? Opinions/experience wanted.

Can't answer that CarMax question for you BUT you still own the warranty on your DSB if you haven't sold it with the DSB yet. Check with Lou to see if it's feasible to transfer the coverage to the new Red 'bird.

[My Raven]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

Ford - I am speaking from experience that CarMax Warranties are a joke but a cash cow for Carmax: Most independent shops don't want to bother with them because they only will pay $45 an hour v. industry standard of $95; the warranty company does not want to pay for new parts: They nearly always insist on reconditioned parts. As most independent and franchise shops do not want the stalling, late payment, general aggravation or the possibility that they will have to bill the customer for repairs or parts because the warranty company refuses to pay. This usually requires you have the car repaired at Carmax: their turnover is very high and quality of work questionable.

The FoMoCo warranty is backed by the company and is good 24/7 at any Ford Dealer in Canada and the US.

I purchased a car this weekend and the General Manager told me they will not do extended warranty repairs for any policy other than Ford's policy: He said the other independent policies including Carmax were just one big headache.

Carmax is not the same company it was even 5 years ago and not for the better: Just my 2 cents.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I agree with Joe. Go with Ford less hassle with repairs and stronger financial footing from Ford.

[Katxoxo]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

Kathleen, I know you were to take your new Bird to your Ford Dealer for a complete inspection today,any surprises?

My appointment is tomorrow morning at 7:30am.

Can't answer that CarMax question for you BUT you still own the warranty on your DSB if you haven't sold it with the DSB yet. Check with Lou to see if it's feasible to transfer the coverage to the new Red 'bird.

Dot -- the ESP is NOT transferrable to another vehicle -- only another owner....the ESP is purchased solely against the car intended. (I called already!) The warranty itself becomes a selling feature for my bird with now over 70k miles on it....lots of interest in the car but the miles have put people off until they here there is a warranty on the car for another 3 years.



As for everyone else's advice: you all confirmed what I have going on in y head already -- Ford ESP is the best choice.


Thanks everyone!

[timbo]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

if you live close to a carmax I think the warranty is fine. I have had no trouble with mine. Power steering replaced. One COP. But I always take the tbird to the carmax I bought my bird from. I didn't know I could get a warranty from ford at the time of purchase. Given the choice I would probably go with Ford for the convienience of repair locations.

[XCR440SP]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I'd decide who is going to work on your Bird. If you'll be having Carmax do it, their warranty should be fine. If your having Ford dealer do it I'd go with the Ford. Also are you going to cross country in the car? If so I'd go with the Ford as aftermarket warrantys can be a real challenge to find a dealer that will accpet them.

We've had so much trouble we now only accept Ford warranty at our dealership. We've never run into Carmax warranty, but every other aftermarket one we've encountered expected us to jump through hoops and tie up techs (for no pay) and then would often give a reason the repair wasn't covered.

[Sealy]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

My appointment is tomorrow morning at 7:30am.

Can you check to see what kind of warranty you need to cover changing colors? Just in case.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

I agree with Joe. Go with Ford less hassle with repairs and stronger financial footing from Ford.

Stong Financial Footing - very important. I bought an extended warranty from a company called Warrantech in 1999 for about $2000 on my Jaguar XK8 from the selling dealer (a Cadillac/Jaguar new car dealer). I did what I thought was the proper checking for financial resources (it was a subsidiary of AIG Insurance at the time) and the Jaguar dealers accepted their warranty direct. I found out later when I picked up my car from the dealer in 2006 that I had to pay for the repair as Warrantech was in receivership. I contacted them and they promised to pay me $50 every quarter for four quarters until the $200 was paid. I never saw the first dime. Thank goodness only a small amount of money was lost other than the cost of the warranty, but I had been cruising around thinking I was covered for any serious repair.

[Katxoxo]

Re: Warranty? Ford or CarMax?

Thanks everyone for your input, experience and advice.