Extended Warranty

[jwkuipers]

I was wondering what people think about extended warranties. I am considering purchasing one before my factory warranty runs out. Has anyone else bought one? Are you able to extend the Lincoln warranty? Does anyone recommend any warranty companies? Any companys that I should stay away from?

I bought one for my last car (Volvo S80), and was a bit skeptical about it. It cost $1,700. It easily paid for its self after the transmission had to be replaced ($4,500). That was only one of many things that I had covered. I think in the end around $6,000 dollars worth of parts were replaced over the time I owned the car. It was going to expire in May, so I dumped the car for the LS I just bought.

 

[steagle]

it seems the consensus here is that most extended warranties suck. the companies don't cover much at all when it comes down to it (isn't it something like they don't cover any moving parts?) and they will do whatever they can legally to get out of paying you for repairs. you were fortunate with that Volvo's transmission replacement, but i'd say 75% of the time you'll pay too much for the extended warranty and not recoup that cost in repairs during the year. that's just what i've observed, others may have different opinions.

 

[TheRebel]

My dealership offered me an extended warranty becuase I bought my LS used with 59,000 miles. I didn't but the warranty. After about a month my check engine light came on. I took it in and it was two coils. My salesman said if I still wanted the warranty I could get it and they would cover the coils. I said ok this time. I bought the platinum ($1900) thourgh my dealership with United Auto Care. The dealership recommended it over the Ford ESP plan. Since then I have had a P/s pump replaced, rear backup sensor replaced, parking brake module replaced, headliner fixed, two coils and two spark plugs replaced, and transmission solenoid replaced. About $1600 and I never had to pay for it also I was offered a free loaner car while mine was being worked on but I just drove my truck instead. I highly recommend this plan, they cover everything except emissions and maintence items. They do however, have a stipulation about factory navigation units (cars in the shop right now because of that) but my dealership said they are getting it taken care of. I think a dealership will try to help you more if you buy the warranty through them.

 

[ToddG]

If you're going to get an extended warranty, make sure its one that is backed by the factory, such as a Ford ESP. Extended warranties that are not factory-backed are basically worthless. Just ask Itsnotmydaddys.

 

[Smokey]

My 04 Vic had a Ford Extra Care ESP on it. I put it in the dealer for a low speed miss. They replaced the plugs, air filter, fuel filter and cleaned the TB. NON of it was covered under the ESP warranty as they were all considered "maintenance items", even the 100K mile factory plugs. I only paid $585 for it when I bought the Vic. I am not sure I would buy another one with my past experience. A lot has to do with the dealer and all our local dealers with the exception of the Chrysler/Dodge place suck on customer service. We have 2 GM dealers, 1 Dodge, 1 Ford, 1 L/M, 1 Honda and 1 Nissan/Mazda. They all blow except the Dodge place.
My LS has the Premier 6yr/75K certified warranty on it from the previous owner, but I am not depending it it to cover anything once I am past the 4yr/50K factory warranty, which will be another 15K miles or 01-03-07.

Maybe I'll just get another Dodge to go with my wife's Quad Cab RAM 1500 when I get near the end of the factory warranty on the LS.

 

[steagle]

ah, for some reason i was thinking about after market warranties, not manufacturer extended warranties. my bad.

 

[V-8]

Its a FORD, so of course you should get a extended warranty!!!

 

[JohnMarshall]

I have an 01 Sport with about 75,000 miles on it. I bought it a couple of years ago with 51,000 miles. I normally don't buy extended warranties, but decided on this one. The dealer had a company called EasyCare. In January i took the car in for valve cover gaskets, a noise in the power steering, ball joints, right rear window regulator, trunk release button and seat heater. They fixed the gaskets, ended up replacing the rack and both ball joint knuckles, also fixing all of the little stuff. I got a loaner car while mine was in the shop. The bill came to over $2,000. I paid my $100 deductable and that was it. The warranty cost me $1,600, so I'm about $600 ahead with another 12,000 miles left on it.

 

[jwkuipers]

Thanks for all the input.

I am not sure if I can qualify for the FordESP, I didn't buy the car at a Ford/Lincoln dealer. I will see if my local dealer will let me purchase one.

If not I will more than likley get something a after market warranty.

 

[chocolat1701]

well the thing is that alot of peaple cant tell the difference between maintanance and warranty, im not saying that any one here does not know the difference but i made that mistake when i bought my ford focus a couple of years ago - i purchased maintance package thinking it was extended warranty, but the dealer told me the difference and then i had both -- they are good if your car has a history of problems or high miles. in other words you know your car and use common sense - if you always had problems then get it or get rid of the car.

 

[jk51515]

I purchased an ext warranty w my 00 ls v8 for 1800$. It covered 2 years or 24,000 miles and the car had 75000 miles on it. I know it seems like a lot but let me tell you they have had to do. They first replaced 3 coils after a moth and we all know why that happened. Then the transmission went out 4 months afer i bought it, 3 grand repair. Then it started running like crap again so after reading on this sight i went in prepared and pissed off and told them i wanted the valve cover gaskets replaced and all of the coils. They said that was the problem and fixed everything plus i said i heard a knock in the front end and they replaced the ball joints and knuckles in the front. Each time they gave me a nice loaner, new ls once and 05 towncar once also, big pimpin. So overall the warranty has more than paid for itself and unfortunately the car has really turned me off to fords again. I gave them another try but i feel it is not reliable. However when it comes to the waranty, on these cars i almost think you'd be stupid not to. Good luck. I have gotten over 6,000$ in repairs done to my car for a few hundred bucks, not too bad.

 

[RollinLS]

Ironic that this topic came up. I purchased an aftermarket warranty from a company about a year ago. It cost me $1700. I was a bit wurry of the whole thing, but figured I use it once. It would pay for itself. Guess what? I just got the LS back after what I thought was a bad tranny. Turns out, electrical short fried a coil and wiring harness. The car spti out 15 codes. Three days to repair and replace everything. My cost $0. The Lincoln dealer documented everything for the company and took care of me. I am considering buying a warranty for my Durango next.

 

[sloban]

Thanks for all the input.

I am not sure if I can qualify for the FordESP, I didn't buy the car at a Ford/Lincoln dealer. I will see if my local dealer will let me purchase one.

If not I will more than likley get something a after market warranty.

Shop around online for the factory-backed ESP warranty. You can get a substantial discount from suggested retail on this. You do NOT have to buy from a local dealer. You can buy from any dealer and the coverage is honored by all dealers.

 

[SolacE]

also just as a note most extened warranty prices (just like cars) are negotiable at the dealership....

 

[jwkuipers]

Can you get the FordESP warranty at 37k miles? I was on the Lincon site and said it did not qualify, because I hadn't purchased it in the last year.

 

[TheRebel]

Shop around online for the factory-backed ESP warranty. You can get a substantial discount from suggested retail on this. You do NOT have to buy from a local dealer. You can buy from any dealer and the coverage is honored by all dealers.

My warranty is covered but all FLM dealers but if I go to another FLM dealer besides the one I bought the warranty from, there is $100 dedeuctible

 

[sloban]

My warranty is covered but all FLM dealers but if I go to another FLM dealer besides the one I bought the warranty from, there is $100 dedeuctible

They are also available with $50 deductible and $0 deductible, obviously for a higher price. Also note that with the ESP, this is per visit, not per repair, something you have to keep in mind when shopping around (and when using your warranty).