Extended warranty questions

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Dimitri Cohen - 06 Feb 2006 04:57 GMT

Hi everyone!

I've recently purchased my '03TL-S and it's still under the original
manufacturer warranty (current mileage: 47,500k mi). I'm seriously thinking
of buying an extended warranty for it. Now, I found a whole number of sites
offering warranties for Acura at different options and prices. I guess the
question is how do I know if those are the actual factory backed warranties
and should I just stick to the Acura dealer's offered (whom I haven't asked
yet) warranty, no matter how much he'd ask for it? Also, some people I've
spoken to suggest that I shop around with different Acura dealers for the
best price as I hear their mark up on warranty prices is very high. Also,
some people caution me about a dealer selling me a warranty one that is not
factory backed...
One would say why won't I just speak to the Acura dealer 1st and see what he
says, but the reason I'm turning for help to this group is that I don't
completely (and can you blame me for it?) trust what the dealer says at all
times and want to hear all the different aspects of my issue first.

Your input greatly appreciated.

Dimitri

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Nick - 06 Feb 2006 15:40 GMT

In most cases it really isn't worth purchasing an extended warranty as most
things that will need replacing in the near future will not be covered under an
extended warranty as they are wear and tear items EG. (timing belt, possibly
alternator, CV boots etc).

Here are two examples as to why not to purchase one

1) 95 Accord DX...bought it used at 36k from a Ford Dealership. Had purchased an
extended warranty for about $8-900 ($50 deductible). I had an A/C leak which I
took back to them a few times without being corrected. Finally I was able to
convince them to send it to a Honda dealer for repair and it was fixed. The cost
of the repairs totaled close to $600. That was the only problem I had.

2) 99 Accord LX..purchased new. Even though I told my mother not to buy one, she
did anyway. Never used it once and it ran us $1100 for an additional 2 years no
deductible.

This was before I realized that I could fix most things myself. Now I do all of
the repairs, but still recommend to everyone NOT to buy an extended warranty.
This is the reason you buy a Honda.

Nick

>Hi everyone!
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
>Dimitri

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New_TL_Owner - 08 Feb 2006 00:05 GMT

>Hi everyone!

>I've recently purchased my '03TL-S and it's still under the original
>manufacturer warranty (current mileage: 47,500k mi). I'm seriously thinking
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>completely (and can you blame me for it?) trust what the dealer says at all
>times and want to hear all the different aspects of my issue first.

>Your input greatly appreciated.

Extended warranties, regardless of who you get them from, are seldom a
wise investment.

In the first place they are all rife with weasel clauses, written in
legalese, allowing them to escape payment on most major claims. Read the
fine print very carefully. Better yet, have your lawyer look it over. What
the large print giveth, the fine print usually takes away through
conditions and exclusions.

Secondly, most are very expensive (over $1000). Your chances of ever just
breaking even with the policy's high up-front cost are historically slim.
Yes, we've all heard the anecdotal story or two where someone has had a
pleasant experience and collected big, but it's a huge gamble stacked
heavily in the warranty company's favor.

Thirdly, these are not "extended warranties" at all. They are nothing more
than a mechanical breakdown insurance policy and several even have a per-
occurrence deductible.

I would never purchase one of these from anyone, least of all the selling
dealer. However, if you're hell-bent to piss away $1000 bux or more, check
with ALLSTATE insurance. They offer this type of mechanical breakdown
insurance for what I've heard are very competitive rates.

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