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View Full Version : Starting to think about Extended Warranty



Ross
03-25-2004, 09:31 AM
Well, I have 32K on the odo, and I'm starting to think about a factory extended warranty before my factory warranty runs out. I have the following mods which could void a warranty:
chip (could be taken out before warranty work if necessary)
underdrive pulleys (probably won't be noticed )
K&N conical filter (could be replaced with factory filter and box if necessary before work)

Have had dealer oil changes religiously every 3K, so my record of maintenance should be spotless with FLM.

Any thoughts before I drop the bucks?

sailsmen
03-25-2004, 09:48 AM
Todays auto is such a complicated myraid of multiple systems I recc the extended warranty.

Just the cost of repairing the ABS or airbag safety or airbag suspension system would probably exceed the extended warranty costs.

Gone are the days when it was just an engine, transmission, body, suspension and drum brakes. Back then I did all the maintenance and most of the repairs including engine rebuilds my self, and the only thing I would not repair was the auto trans!

SergntMac
03-25-2004, 10:26 AM
Without knowing what your extended warranty will cover, Ross, or how it will provide repairs, sailsmen makes a good point. Lots of expensive stuff can go bad, and the cost of the warranty may save you twice that in repairs. However, there is another side to this car, and things have matured nicely in our favor.

I imagined loosing my engine, and looked at my options. I can replace that with a complete bone stock crate engine from KarKraft for 2900 bucks. I could even take that opportunity to build something greater, stronger and faster. 2900 bucks is more than an extended warranty will cost you, but there's no guarantee that the warranty will cover you anyway. You don't decide what gets fixed, they do, and they also decide how. You could get fixed with used parts that have been abused more than the parts that failed.

Already I have lunched my tranny and rear end, and I rebuilt both with high quality aftermarket performance parts that cost me less than an extended warranty. I can't complain because I broke them, and I figure it's the cost of driving my MM the way I do.

You're not heavy on the mods, Ross, and if you're not planning any more mods, an extended warranty may be the way to go. However, not having any warranty at all, has a certain comfort to it as well. A "freedom" to do what you want with your car. I believe one will take better care of his automobile to protect his investment, when there is no other protection. Likewise, make better decisions on how to mod it, and how to drive it.

Between making payments, and worry over voiding a warranty, I wonder if any of us really become owners, emotionally speaking. We're more worried about the money, than the pleasure of full ownership. Please, I mean no flame towards anyone, I'm just making an observation about what we care about, and what worries us.

I probably didn't help much here, because I'm a die hard MM owner. I treat my MM with respect and care for it, and better than many of you may believe. However, it's tool in my life that gives me much pleasure when I hammer it, and without that pleasure, ownership is meaningless to me. I've got the title in the drawer, and never had a warranty to begin with, so, how long this MM lasts, is truely in my hands.

So...IMHO...Beat it, break it, fix it and beat it some more. You'll never forget the experience, or, apologize to yourself for what you missed.

sailsmen
03-25-2004, 10:46 AM
Good Point about what the extended warranty may or may not cover.

1st - Look very closely first at the financial status of the warranty company ( years in the business and total assets). Remember every major insurer that failed was "A" rated shortly before it failed.

2nd - Look at the actual contract for what is or is not covered

3rd - what repair shops will accept the warranty company.

I am a firm believer in the mfg warranties, although some have had good experience with the non-mfg warranties.

Paul T. Casey
03-25-2004, 10:54 AM
I bought the extended warrantee when I bought the car. Didn't stop me from mods, albeit minor to this point. My theory is, if something goes wrong, it may get fixed. The other thing about mine, is that if I don't use it, I get the money back when it's expired. Mod to your hearts content, but be ready to pay repairs if they prove failure is due to a particular modification. I do like Mac's philosophy on this. :up:

merc406
03-25-2004, 11:04 AM
Extended Warranty, if it's gonna keep you awake nights without one, buy it. :sleepy:

Smokie
03-25-2004, 03:22 PM
I have purchased extended warranties twice to be exact, on the Crown Vic and a Mustang I no longer own. They were the Ford ESP plan. In both cases the warranties paid far more in repair costs than the price of the warranty. Having said that, the reason these warranties are sold is to make money and I believe I was simply lucky that in my case I got a substantial return on my investment, that will not be the case for most people...this product is not sold to lose money.

sailsmen
03-25-2004, 03:29 PM
If you keep the car for the length of the warranty you will usually come out ahead.

Most people sell the car before the warranty period expires and do not transfer it to the new owner. That is how they make money.

I have studied the actuarial data for a project I did, although several years ago when cars were less reliable I still feel my first sentence is probably accurate.

gonzo50
03-25-2004, 03:30 PM
So...IMHO...Beat it, break it, fix it and beat it some more. You'll never forget the experience, or, apologize to yourself for what you missed.
I like SergntMac's theory, just do it. :up:

2005Marauder
03-25-2004, 03:39 PM
I worked in the auto business for more than 11 years in the accounting office.

If you plan to keep the car with no or few modifications, my advice is to purchase an extended warranty. I've seen the repair bills.

If you don't think you need an extended warranty on your automobile, then cancel your home owners, auto, and life insurance policies and budget at least 25% of your paycheck on lottery tickets.
P.S. Get the $50 deductible.

CRUZTAKER
03-25-2004, 04:25 PM
I purchased the 6/75k bumper to bumper last summer when Rush was offering them at 25% off. Remember, the longer you wait to extend, the more $$$ they tack on the price tag. The best price was within the first year.

I have mods...so what? I bought the warranty for the dumb shat that goes wrong that have no weight on my mods. IE: Window switches, headlamps, airbag, ABS, radiator, cluster switches, alternator, heating and cooling, and the list of wallet breakers goes on and on....

Screw the drivetrain, it's all high performance, as is the exhaust...and the motor? They're gonna fix the cam tick regardless of a couple mods.

DL04
03-25-2004, 04:41 PM
Ross-I've been looking into getting an aftermarket warranty ie; warrantydirect.com, autowarranties.com, allstate ins. also has a parts and labor policy too.Most aftermarket warranties go around $1200-$1500 for 7/100k with a $50 ded.The best thing about these warranties is that you decide who to take it to. Ford ESP has to be serviced at the dealer!If you deal with a regular repair shop ask them if they deal with any aftermaket companies-my shop says he hasnt had any problems with them to date,he can usually save you the ded.too. Even so I'm a little leary of these warranty companies since I'v always had factory warranties with out any coverage problems but if your going to have some mods done aftermarket might be the way to go. If anyone has had a problem collecting on an aftermarket warranty let us know.

sailsmen
03-25-2004, 05:14 PM
I am aware of about 6 that went bust in the last 10 years so take the advice in my above post.

teamrope
03-25-2004, 08:39 PM
I've seen it go boath ways. When we got the Mystaque, I opted for the 6/100K. I lost to the tune of about $100. The damd thing didn't start breaking till we paid it off. (Trany went south 2 days after. Front rotors, battery and alternator 4 months after that)

The kind of luck I have, they would have gone out sooner had I NOT had the extended covorage.

SergntMac
03-25-2004, 08:54 PM
If you don't think you need an extended warranty on your automobile, then cancel your home owners, auto, and life insurance policies and budget at least 25% of your paycheck on lottery tickets.
Cool...Do you favor any particular state?

Bigdogjim
03-25-2004, 09:03 PM
Cool...Do you favor any particular state?
OK! Just send me your money and I'll let you know when you win:rock:


:lol: :lol: :lol::bounce:

Petrograde
03-26-2004, 05:00 AM
The other thing about mine, is that if I don't use it, I get the money back when it's expired.

Wow,.. what kind do you have? Ford ESP? I've always just assumed you lost that money no matter what.

Ross
03-26-2004, 02:35 PM
Lots of good things to think about. If I do this I'll probably go with a Ford plan. Even though I haven't always had great luck with dealers, I think that there is probably less likelihood of a Ford plan going out of business than some unknown insurance company.

DL04
03-29-2004, 03:26 PM
Ross I just spoke with Jeremy at fordwarrantycentral - 800 728 1912. With a $50 deductible 7/75k =$1450 , 7/100 =$2230. These quotes were for a new Marauder, your price might be higher with 35k on the clock.Let me know how you make out.

Ross
03-29-2004, 04:08 PM
Well, I talked to Jeremy at Ford Warranty Central. For my car, a 5 year, 100K warranty will be $1610.00 with a $50.00 deductible. At the rate I am putting miles on my car, it won't go beyond 5 years before it hits 100K. Therefore, not much sense in paying more for a 7 year period.

Also talked to Allstate, since I wouldn't mind having a policy that will let me take my car wherever I want to. They quoted me a 4 year, 60K warranty. $1,080.00. The difference is, the 5 year Ford warranty expires 5 years from the date I bought the car (or less than 4 years from now), and 100K actually on the odo.
The Allstate policy is 4 years from the date I buy the policy, and 60K from the time I buy the policy. So the Allstate policy lasts a little longer in terms of months, and just a few thousand miles less, depending on when I actually buy the policy.

Also, Ford says that their warranty is bumper to bumper, Allstate says theirs doesn't quite cover bumper to bumper, but covers major components. I'm having the policy faxed to me to see how much difference there is in coverage.

BillyGman
03-29-2004, 04:41 PM
I can definately relate to MAC's first post in this thread even though it's a bit more difficult for me to have the same theory since I actually financed 50% of the cost of my Marauder. But like MAC, I too dwell on the fact that I bought this car for it's looks and performance, and I drive it hard and have fun w/it.

And I don't like to let the worry of warantees or even financial matters to stop me from having fun w/my car. Yes, I try to have a balance by abstaining from bringing it to the race track more than 2 or at the very most three times per year, but I still do plan on racing it once in awhile and I often drive it hard on the street on a weekly basis. I guess thaere are pros and cons about this issue, and it depends what your priorities are, as well as what the actual reasones are that YOU bought a Marauder.

As for me, I try to remain somewhat responsible, while at the same time I must admit that I didn't buy it to drive like Grandma, nor am I opposed to modifying this car either as you can see by my signature. If i was going to baby a car, than I would've bought an economy car or even a big car w/a V6 engine that would be better on gasoline than the Marauder is.

Like Petrograde, I too would like to know Paul what type of watantee it is that yu were refering to that allows you to actually get any money back at the end of it's term since I've only heard of term life insurance policies that are like that and NOT car maintainance warantees.

jgc61sr2002
03-29-2004, 08:17 PM
Ross - The Allstate warranty sounds interesting. With the 5 yr FMC warranty you are actually paying for the two year extension as the 3/36 is standard. Keep us posted. Thanks.

frank rodriguez
05-17-2007, 04:44 PM
I have a chip and k&n fipk. only 14000 no my car. I bought it new and got a extended warranty in 2003. just put chip & k&n in over the winter. should i take them out too get my oil changed if i go too ford

MENINBLK
05-17-2007, 05:41 PM
Most Marauder owners are beginning to have problems with the EATC.
(Electronic Automatic Temperature Control)

It is the thing in the middle of your dash that displays
the EXTERNAL Temperture while you are driving.
It also automatically keeps the climate inside your car
at whatever temperature you set it at.

When it goes bad... It will be $700 out of your pocket.
The Premium Care plan will cover it with either a $100 ded
or a $50 ded if you pay the extra $$$.

This is only ONE part that it will cover out of the thousands on your Marauder.

MENINBLK
05-17-2007, 05:42 PM
I have a chip and k&n fipk. only 14000 no my car. I bought it new and got a extended warranty in 2003. just put chip & k&n in over the winter. should i take them out too get my oil changed if i go too ford

NO.
I have the K&N AirCharger/DryCharger and I use Lidio's tune via the XCal2.
My Dealer is aware of my mods and they don't interfere with anything.

MENINBLK
05-17-2007, 05:52 PM
Ross-I've been looking into getting an aftermarket warranty ie; warrantydirect.com, autowarranties.com, allstate ins. also has a parts and labor policy too.Most aftermarket warranties go around $1200-$1500 for 7/100k with a $50 ded.The best thing about these warranties is that you decide who to take it to. Ford ESP has to be serviced at the dealer!If you deal with a regular repair shop ask them if they deal with any aftermaket companies-my shop says he hasnt had any problems with them to date,he can usually save you the ded.too. Even so I'm a little leary of these warranty companies since I'v always had factory warranties with out any coverage problems but if your going to have some mods done aftermarket might be the way to go. If anyone has had a problem collecting on an aftermarket warranty let us know.

You own a MARAUDER.
Who else is gonna fix it ???
You think that Johnny Bag-o-Donuts Self Serv knows what the hell a Marauder is ?
Who you kidding....

For a MARAUDER, you can get the FORD ESP ONLY.
For a TAURUS, you can go whever you want for a warranty.


"You could get fixed with used parts that have been abused more than the parts that failed."

This has NEVER happened on a FORD ESP.
They ASK for the parts that are replaced under the warranty,
and the Dealer has to have the bills on hand for the parts that were installed.
The FORD ESP only repairs with NEW PARTS or REBUILT parts, NEVER USED PARTS.

MM2004
05-17-2007, 05:54 PM
Uhem,...

This thread is three years old. :eek:

I agree with the Ford ESP.

Mike.

MENINBLK
05-17-2007, 06:07 PM
Uhem,...
This thread is three years old. :eek:
I agree with the Ford ESP.
Mike.

:banana2: :eek: