warranty

[JimmyQ]

The way I looked at it is this, they wouldn't sell it to you if they weren't making money off of it

 

[CoHPhasor]

The way I looked at it is this, they wouldn't sell it to you if they weren't making money off of it

It's not bad for the dealership to make money, it's bad for them to soak you.
If your car has a failure and you can't pay for it you'll go somewhere cheaper.
If you have a warranty another company pays for the repair and you *have* to do it at the dealer - it means they make money even when you're not paying for it.

Simple math; business paid for by an outside party > Not getting any business.

The problem comes in when they can make even more money by throwing a huge margin on it.

Further complicating it is the fact that if you buy from them they wait until your warranty would normally lapse THEN buy the warranty you gave them $ for several years earlier in which case they're making interest on it.

So, not bad for them to make money, it gives them a vested interest in doing things for you (they got more money), but they're willing to soak you for it so beware.

(As mentioned a few posts back, if you're trading sooner than later it makes no sense, if you're keeping it 5+ years I'd recommend bargaining for it)

 

[LS1notFOUND]

Lots of post in here:

I purchased the GM Protection Plan, 0 deductible, 7/72. I will never buy one from an outside company, Warranty America LLC screwed me on a sunroof.

However, at the end of its term or at vehicle trade-in you can get a rebate/money back either in your pocket, towards the vehicle trade, or a warranty on your new or certified used GM vehicle. I paid 1500 for the scam shop one and recieved about 500 back when I cancelled it. This GM one supposingly pays back even better for unused portion.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

@LS1, Do you have the link for the warranty law? I've been searching and can't find it, but i know you've posted it before.

 

[THKPIC]

If you plan on trading the car in after 3 years, don't get it.

I plan on keeping mine till it's paid off, so the warranty makes sense for me.

If you normally don't have to spend a lot in car repairs, then you prob won't this time. If I hadn't had done it, I would've spent over 2k. And on the car before that way more.

Just depends on past experience you've had with cars.

I tend to work on my own cars. I've done brakes, struts, springs, bushings, heater cores, control arms, tie rods, sway bars, etc. I don't mind putting in a bit of work as I have some decent tools. The only thing I don't do is timing belt, headgasket stuff. I've taken a brief look under the hood and plan on looking under the suspension later this week. I was suprized to see plastic endlinks on the front through the rims.
I tend to keep my cars for 4yrs. My last one was 3.5. Because this car is so economical who knows. It may make more sense to keep it depending on what I purchase next. I still want a dodge challenger, but as a primary mode of transport it would be financially stupid. Weather in New England is even worse for that sort of thing. I'm going to give it a year and see.

 

[Texas_Sonic]

yea, i didnt even notice the 'extended service contract' on the paper when signing for the car until about a week later. It wasnt even offered to me at the time I bought the car. I guess they just assumed I wanted it and added it so they finance guy is gonna call me tonight about it but I have a feeling hes gonna give me the 'well you signed the contract' speech and im screwed into keeping it (and paying full price). Lets see what happens. I bought the car bout 2 weeks ago but knowing my luck I wont be able to cancel it.

Given the choice I would prefer to just buy it later before the normal warranty goes out. At least then I would have a choice.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

In honesty, the dealer will try their hardest to get things covered under the "extra" warranty, and they HOPE you use it, you bought it from them, they bought it from the company. So a lot of times they throw it on with a deep discount and no deductible.

I stand by GMPP as being the best one.

They don't pay for the repairs, the warranty company does...sometimes you have to remind them of that. This applies only for the extended warranties NOT the factory warranties where the dealer doesn't get reimbursed 100% all the time (in reality they can with quick techs).

Why dealerships burn so many bridges with warranty claims is beyond me, but the good ones will keep the mantra of customer is right.

@LS1, Do you have the link for the warranty law? I've been searching and can't find it, but i know you've posted it before.

sorry for not replying, for the rules on the protection plan:
GMPP: http://www.gmprotectionplanonline.com/?gclid=CIT4h5KdvbICFQs5nAodZVQA8Q
Generally it varies by state, but be careful, a lot of fine print can hurt in warranties which are basically limited "Service Contracts". Some do include regular maintenance.
Quick google finds this:
http://go-scic.com/insidepages/news.cfm?newsid=0993d89e-ff1f-e0d5-7a87-e9feed01545f

"Non-Covered Parts

Sheet metal
Body parts, panels and rails
Bumpers
Chassis frame
Cross members
Hinges -this is the only one that really bugs me, the rest make sense
Trim, moldings, and bright metal
Paint
Rust damage
Convertible and vinyl tops
Weather-strips
Carpet and upholstery
Exhaust system and catalytic converter
Tires
Glass
Lenses
Sealed Beams
Light Bulbs
Batteries
Brake drums
Shock absorbers - most of us will end up with aftermarket when ours go
Squeaks, rattles, wind noise and odors"

 

[Stubby]

I got the extended warranty on my car. Granted, the way I drive and maintain my car, I may never need it. But it is always nice to have.
There are things to note, not so much for the average Joe economy car driver, but for the tuners. The warranty, and extended warranty only covers manufacturer parts and manufacturer conditions. If you do a lot of add-on gear, the warranty will not cover the add on parts. Moreover, if the mechanics can roughly prove AND I MEAN ROUGHLY prove that any add on caused the malfunction, it may give them the ability to void the warranty on that, or those items.
Simple things like stereo gear isn't usually a problem unless the gear shorts out your electrical system, but when you start adding mechanical gear, CAI's, Tune programming, exhaust systems, and such that can cause a problem.
The point is, be careful what you do, if you can't afford to pay for the repairs, you can't afford to install the extra gear.
I am sure to most of us, this is common knowledge, but for a younger driver, it may be news.
Just a thought.

 

[mitdr774]

For me a service contract does not make sense. I plan on making some changes to the car as time goes on and those items would be the ones covered by the service contract. I also have a hard time shelling out $1500 for something that I may never even use. I currently own 4 Chevrolets (one was totaled out in Jan. 2011, but I need parts and sheet metal to fix another) and previously had another one, all have been excellent vehicles. My oldest id a 96 K1500 and issues with it that would have fallen under a service contract only happened after the contract would have expired. Same goes for my 98 Z24. The 02 Z24 (totaled) only had issues with owner inflicted damage either due to modifications or driving style. All of those vehicles are well over 100K and still have plenty of life in them, except the totaled one that will be stripped down and used (damaged the right frame rail and firewall).

I have also had to deal with GMPP before and was less than impressed with the way they treated me. Its never a good idea to piss off the guy repairing the vehicle, especially if you tie up the hoist all day because you need to inspect the car and keep calling in to push it back another 20 minutes.

 

[rodslinger]

I make it a habit of not buying extended warranties on ANYTHING. But this doesn't work for everyone. I have an extra car and reserves to cover failures. Some do not and I can't fault some for possibly needing it. I only encourage them not to. You will rarely need it or the loopholes in coverage will probably not cover what failed anyway.

Warranty administrators to me are a lot like odds makers or game operators in Vegas. They know the odds and they know they are going to pay out very little in relation to what they earn off you. Cars today are pretty reliable. If it is gonna break it will probably do it very soon in life while under factory warranty or last way beyond any aftermarket warranty you purchase.

With that thought I'd like to add that I'm about $28k financially ahead by not choosing extended warranties on anything. Cars, appliances, houses, electronics, etc.... In the past 24 years I think I've replaced a single transmission on a car that had 187k miles at the time of failure. That wouldn't have been covered by an extended warranty anyway. I honestly can't recall any problem I've had on a car in the past 25 years that would have been covered by any extended warranty or failed within the time/mileage limits of a warranty had I chose it.

Take that money and invest it in something else. Take that $20 a month and put it into savings that can be used to fix things in the future or buy youself new bedroom furniture later in life.

 

[THKPIC]

I've bought cars with 175k on them, bought my last performance car with zero warranty private party....never thought about the need for one. I've changed heater cores, ball joints, springs.....pretty much anything minus major engine work. Never bothered me. If this car brakes down at 60k I'll just light it on fire and send the footage to GM (joking).

This engine has been around for awhile now and I do think is pretty reliable. The suspension is child's play....I think I could take the springs out with my own two hands. Alternator looks reachable....haven't located the starter yet.

With gas prices where they are, I'm really interested to see the resale value for these cars in 3-4yrs. Subcompacts, especially 40mpg cars are already worth above average trade in values right now. Not enouph used inventory and less demand for new cars. It pisses me off that when you google chevy sonic you get more news on the windshield wiper recall and most recent turn signal BCM failure. Those things are so minor, but Chevy really seems to be trying to insure there consumer base is satisfied with this one. And why not, it's a growing market that can only see increased demand as gas prices continue upward.

So, bottom line....no I wouldn't buy the extended warranty. Save the money and put it toward your next chevy sonic!

 

[Kuntryboy865]

I have the standard stuff
36,000 MILES
3-Year Bumper to Bumper Limited Warranty*
100,000 MILES
5-Year Powertrain Limited Warranty*
100,000 MILES
6-Year Corrosion Limited Warranty*
80,000 MILES
8-Year Emission Select Component Ltd Wty*

 

[LS1notFOUND]

I've bought cars with 175k on them, bought my last performance car with zero warranty private party....never thought about the need for one. I've changed heater cores, ball joints, springs.....pretty much anything minus major engine work. Never bothered me. If this car brakes down at 60k I'll just light it on fire and send the footage to GM (joking).

This engine has been around for awhile now and I do think is pretty reliable. The suspension is child's play....I think I could take the springs out with my own two hands. Alternator looks reachable....haven't located the starter yet.

With gas prices where they are, I'm really interested to see the resale value for these cars in 3-4yrs. Subcompacts, especially 40mpg cars are already worth above average trade in values right now. Not enouph used inventory and less demand for new cars. It pisses me off that when you google chevy sonic you get more news on the windshield wiper recall and most recent turn signal BCM failure. Those things are so minor, but Chevy really seems to be trying to insure there consumer base is satisfied with this one. And why not, it's a growing market that can only see increased demand as gas prices continue upward.

So, bottom line....no I wouldn't buy the extended warranty. Save the money and put it toward your next chevy sonic!

honestly for a gear head I would agree, I didn't really reasearch the platform to well before I bought mine but it everything does look pretty simple to work on....and mine doesn't have a whole lot to break, just that radio and the transmission had me go hmmmm.

However, for me its the time/place to work on it that is the problem and 7yr/100k was to good to pass up for bumper to bumper.

Out of the dealership for just about 15K even 2.9 financed, (no money down) and since its a pro-rated warranty you can get a big chunk back at the end of its term if you don't use. I went with the GM Major Guard no deductible btw. Nice to not pay for random stuff during the loan.

Simple stuff like brakes and oil I can do, but I don't have a garage to scatter pieces in right now.

 

[sonic hotness]

They never offered me a extended warrenty

But ill be at 100k in four or five years easy

 

[JCHAG]

Necropost of the day

Curious about extended warranties, specifically GMPP Major Guard, I did a Forum search and came across this thread.

I've purchased 2 Sonics over the past 10 days (different dealers) and found the of the cost these plans shockingly different. Dealer 1 wanted $1975 for the 5 yr 60k mi plan with a $100 deductible, dealer 2 offered me $1380 for 4yr/100k coverage with 0 deductible. So I bought 2 of the latter plans through dealer # 2. Dealer #2 also explained that GMPPs are available with 18 months 0% financing, with 10% down. Unless you're taking advantage of 0% financing on the car loan, I'm not sure why anyone would finance the cost of the GMPP into their new car loan.

I decided to purchase these contract because the cars will be operated in "severe" conditions. I'm not saying that I abuse or drive my cars hard, but they will be operated (most of the time) in an urban environment with lots of stop and go and idling. Additionally, I believe that living in a sub tropical climate state, where the AC runs non stop for 11 months out of the year, and exposure to very high humidity and temperatures 6 months out of the year will cause parts to fail sooner than those residing in a more moderate climate.

One last thought for people who are adamantly against extended warranties, I think of it this way... Consider the cost of 1 year's worth of auto insurance. We believe that we will never need this coverage, but in most states are forced to have it. For (approximately) the cost of 1 year's premium, I have 4 years and 100,000 miles worth of coverage, with no deductible, if a part should fail on one of new Sonics.

 

[Swordsmith]

I never get the extended warranties offered on anything, and at this point if you buy a stapler the store will offer you an EW on it for an extra $2.

I deliberately abuse most things I buy, and I knowingly buy things I can afford to replace.

My Sonic has had its guts pulled out and piled on the garage floor more than once, and I have a growing pile of OEM parts collected. Each new part is not only not covered, but potentially a "cause" of other failures which wouldn't be covered either.

If I could have had $2000 back instead of accepting the 100K powertrain and 36K bumper to bumper warranties, I could gladly have taken that deal.

But I also know that the basic starter 'free' warranties cover most of the failures that are legitimately the manufacturer's fault, anyway. If something doesn't fail in the first few thousand miles, they probably did a good job of building and installing it, and if they warranty 100K miles it's probably because the parts are designed to last 120K or more; they are making a bet and they know the odds are they will win that bet.

I'll pay out of pocket for any repairs that aren't covered by the basic warranty, and I know that I might win or lose that bet, but I also know that the odds favor me, if they didn't, then that warranty would cost more, until the point where again, the odds favor me. GM isn't in business to lose money.

 

[dermo]

What's covered under the emissions warranty? Head gasket or anything? Will powertrain cover hot spots on the flywheel?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

What's covered under the emissions warranty? Head gasket or anything? Will powertrain cover hot spots on the flywheel?

dermo,

Under normal circumstances the following should be covered under the Emissions and Powertrain Warranties. Your Powertrain Warranty would cover hot spots depending on what the root cause is related to. You can check with your dealership's Warranty Manager for further details. Hope this information is helpful.

Federal Emissions Warranty:

• Air injection reactor (AIR) pump, Air distributor and valves.
• Pulse AIR valve and associated parts.
• Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve and associated parts.
• Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and associated controls.
• Power control and EFI systems. *
• Intake/exhaust manifolds turbocharger and supercharger.
• Catalytic converter system.
• Sealing devices and mounting hardware.
• Exhaust system up to the catalytic converter.
• Distributor parts and associated controls.
• Spark plugs and ignition wires. *
• Fuel tank filler cap restrictor and vapor control valves.
• Evaporative emission control carbon canister and associated controls.
• Emission related hoses, clamps, belts, pulleys, tubes, fittings and wiring harness used on the above components
• Mass Air Flow Sensor

Powertrain Warranty:

• Gasoline engines - Cylinder Block and heads, and all internal parts, intake manifold, timing gears, timing gear chain or belt and cover, flywheel, harmonic balancer, valve covers, oil pan, oil pump, engine mounts, seals, and gaskets, water pump; also turbocharger and supercharger housings and internal parts, valves, seats, and gaskets.
• Transmission - Case and all internal parts, torque converter, vacuum modulator, seals and gaskets and transmission mounts, also transfer case and all internal parts, seals and gaskets.
• Front Wheel Drive - Final drive housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, constant velocity joints, front hub bearings, seals and
gaskets.
• Rear Wheel Drive - Axle housing and all internal parts, axle shafts, bearings, supports, seals and gaskets propeller shafts. U-joints.


Please feel free to private message me or post if you have any additional warranty questions or concerns.


Vanessa
GM Customer Service

 

[dkennedy1989]

I bought the extended warranty just in case because I have had bad luck with cars in the past, I am glad I did because the extended warranty also covers a rental car no matter what or how long it is in the shop.

 

[qwed94]

I bought the extended warranty just in case because I have had bad luck with cars in the past, I am glad I did because the extended warranty also covers a rental car no matter what or how long it is in the shop.

I do like that.... However, you should still purchase the insurance from the rental car co. Rental car companies will charge you the rental fee of that car (PER DAY--everyday) that car is being repaired. (Assuming you wreck the rental car-at fault). This is called "loss-of-use". Check your rental agreement for complete details. Most rental cars (for subcompacts) is around $20 a day. Most of the insurance policies run about $32 a day.
--Your insurance carrier (for your Sonic) will NOT cover loss of use.

I am not telling you either way about extended warranties. Im just informing you on rental car policies whether you choose extended warranty or not. Just PLEASE look at rental agreements also "should you ever need a rental car".

Extended warranties will be argued till death. I think each person has their own unique situation. I "personally" have a Dad and a Son who happen to be ASE certified mechanics who both work at shops that they can use on their off time. I DID NOT buy the extended warranty for obvious reasons.