Extended Warranty
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Extended Warranty
Have 6 weeks to decide to take extended warranty. What problems covered by warranty have you heard of that occur in large numbers of C5's. If you took an extended warranty is price negotiable
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Hilo Hawaii
I second that! I too am in the same boat your in and was wondering the same things. Just wondering if it's worth the $3200 I was quoted for 5year/50000miles. As my Vette an 04 with only 1500 miles on it, will only see 5000 miles a year at most and I do have a 2year powertrain warranty still yet. Personaly I was just thinking of not taking the warranty and put the $3200 on the side for any repairs that need to be done.
Jerome
Jerome
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Arlington VA
I purchased an extended GMPP warranty for my '03 Z06 from Fichtner Chevrolet (specifically Dennis Fichtner) and I couldn't be happier.
I would recommend talking to Dennis for four reasons:
1. Dennis is VERY knowledgeable about warranties
2. He is 100% a straight shooter and will give you HONEST advice (even if that's not to get one at all)
3. He offers GMPP warranties at a price that others MAY be able to match, but can't beat.
4. As long as you don't live in Montana, no sales tax. Some dealers charge you sales tax on warranties even if you don't live in their state.
HTH,
- Max
P.S. Do a search on the forum here for Dennis Fichtner and you'll see what I mean. If you want a GMPP warranty, you want to talk to Dennis!
I would recommend talking to Dennis for four reasons:
1. Dennis is VERY knowledgeable about warranties
2. He is 100% a straight shooter and will give you HONEST advice (even if that's not to get one at all)
3. He offers GMPP warranties at a price that others MAY be able to match, but can't beat.
4. As long as you don't live in Montana, no sales tax. Some dealers charge you sales tax on warranties even if you don't live in their state.
HTH,
- Max
P.S. Do a search on the forum here for Dennis Fichtner and you'll see what I mean. If you want a GMPP warranty, you want to talk to Dennis!
Last edited by MadMaxZ06; May 13, 2007 at 02:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I bought a 5 year/40,000 mile extended warranty for my 04 Z06 for $1070.
The miles are what run the price up, and I figured I would only average driving 8,000 miles per year.
And everything is negotiable. I saved $550 off the GM suggested price.
Remember, the mileage and time begins when you purchase the warranty, so you should wait until just before your factory warranty expires.
The miles are what run the price up, and I figured I would only average driving 8,000 miles per year.
And everything is negotiable. I saved $550 off the GM suggested price.
Remember, the mileage and time begins when you purchase the warranty, so you should wait until just before your factory warranty expires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 6
From: Redondo Beach Ca
I just purchase a 4 year 40,000 mile warranty from Dennis Fitchner (Ceyabye) this week for just over a grand. He definitely has the best prices and service! He's on vacation for two weeks now (Scotland) paid for by gm for selling so many warranties. $1000 for peace of mind was worth it to me because if something minor goes wrong, it still costs at least $500 with labor. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Arlington VA
I bought a 5 year/40,000 mile extended warranty for my 04 Z06 for $1070.
The miles are what run the price up, and I figured I would only average driving 8,000 miles per year.
And everything is negotiable. I saved $550 off the GM suggested price.
Remember, the mileage and time begins when you purchase the warranty, so you should wait until just before your factory warranty expires.
The miles are what run the price up, and I figured I would only average driving 8,000 miles per year.
And everything is negotiable. I saved $550 off the GM suggested price.
Remember, the mileage and time begins when you purchase the warranty, so you should wait until just before your factory warranty expires.
However, I spoke to Dennis and he explained a different strategy that most people find better. If memory serves me, he said it's a balancing act between the cost of the warranty (which is it's highest when your factory is about to expire) and the amount of time under the factory warranty. Simply put, I believe he stated the accepted "best practice" for GMPP warranties is to go buy an extended GMPP warranty after about a year (remember, check with Dennis as my memory could be off by a year).
When Dennis returns from vacation, give him a call a he'll gladly explain it to you. It does actually make sense. I'm still happy with my warranty though.
- Max
Vette Dan
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
I for one wouldn't be without the GMPP. It's cost is related to mileage. Once over 24k it doubles.
But my 04 with 27 k on engine went boom at 40MPH. new engine under warranty $8030.05. Cost me $30.
Dennis is the man.
But my 04 with 27 k on engine went boom at 40MPH. new engine under warranty $8030.05. Cost me $30.
Dennis is the man.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah Wa.
OK OK,....here we go again,........I have bought over 15 new and newer cars and I have ALWAYS bought the extended warranty. I have NEVER failed to have the warranty pay for itself!!!! Even though G.M. KNOWS all about some of the eh,...."glitches" their cars have as an American auto maker they sometimes will not acknowledge them like the "Leakey M-6 trany,.....The many problems with the evil,....."skip shift crap (blown second gears) ect.ect. and the dealerships will get the extended warranty to fill in any gaps!! 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Salesmen will try to tell you that the extended warranty costs less if you buy it when the car is new (less than 12 months). What I found when I studied the tables was that the cost "appears" to go up because if you buy a warranty early, you still have some factory warranty left and you are actually getting less months of extended coverage than most people realize.
If you divide the cost by the actual number of extra months your are extending the warranty, the cost per month is about the same, no matter when you buy it, so you might as well wait.
For exampe if you buy a 60 month warranty with 24 months left in the factory warranty, you are really only getting 36 months of extra warranty. If you buy a 60 month warranty at the end of the factory warranty, you are actually getting 60 more months of extended warranty, so you would expect the total cost to be more.
I got 60 extra months for $1070, or only about $18/month.
If you bought the same plan for 60 months with two years left on the factory warranty and paid $600, it would still be about $17-$18 per month (for 36 months)
If you divide the cost by the actual number of extra months your are extending the warranty, the cost per month is about the same, no matter when you buy it, so you might as well wait.
For exampe if you buy a 60 month warranty with 24 months left in the factory warranty, you are really only getting 36 months of extra warranty. If you buy a 60 month warranty at the end of the factory warranty, you are actually getting 60 more months of extended warranty, so you would expect the total cost to be more.
I got 60 extra months for $1070, or only about $18/month.
If you bought the same plan for 60 months with two years left on the factory warranty and paid $600, it would still be about $17-$18 per month (for 36 months)
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; May 14, 2007 at 09:40 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Arlington VA
Salesmen will try to tell you that the extended warranty costs less if you buy it when the car is new (less than 12 months). What I found when I studied the tables was that the cost "appears" to go up because if you buy a warranty early, you still have some factory warranty left and you are actually getting less months of extended coverage than most people realize.
If you divide the cost by the actual number of extra months your are extending the warranty, the cost per month is about the same, no matter when you buy it, so you might as well wait.
For exampe if you buy a 60 month warranty with 24 months left in the factory warranty, you are really only getting 36 months of extra warranty. If you buy a 60 month warranty at the end of the factory warranty, you are actually getting 60 more months of extended warranty, so you would expect the total cost to be more.
I got 60 extra months for $1070, or only about $18/month.
If you bought the same plan for 60 months with two years left on the factory warranty and paid $600, it would still be about $17-$18 per month (for 36 months)
If you divide the cost by the actual number of extra months your are extending the warranty, the cost per month is about the same, no matter when you buy it, so you might as well wait.
For exampe if you buy a 60 month warranty with 24 months left in the factory warranty, you are really only getting 36 months of extra warranty. If you buy a 60 month warranty at the end of the factory warranty, you are actually getting 60 more months of extended warranty, so you would expect the total cost to be more.
I got 60 extra months for $1070, or only about $18/month.
If you bought the same plan for 60 months with two years left on the factory warranty and paid $600, it would still be about $17-$18 per month (for 36 months)
- Max
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The GMPP has changed. The service plan adds to the factory warranty duration and is not coincidental with it anymore. A year and a half ago I purchased a 4 year 32K mile 0 deductible service plan that effectively adds 4 years extension to my warranty (cost $1750 from Fichtner). It is hard to know if a plan is worth the extra money. Mostly it depends on how you use the car. If you use it hard the way I do or if the car is a garage queen it may be worth it. If the usage is normal it may not be worth it. In my case it looks like it was a good investment as I've had a power steering pump and rack replaced plus 4 tie rod ends and it looks like I may have to have the EBCM replaced soon as I am getting the C1214 code every so often lately.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
My opinion, if you buy the extended warranty there's a good chance you'll never need it. If you don't, you'll wish you did. Actually, I bought the warranty and I had to replace the door control module and lock actuator. Cost out of pocket = $0.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Branchburg, NJ
Buy it and be happy!
I've had my fuel system serviced 3 times already for the bad gas gauge, AND had the EBCM replaced for FREE all under my GMPP
EBCM alone is almost a $1k!!!
I've had my fuel system serviced 3 times already for the bad gas gauge, AND had the EBCM replaced for FREE all under my GMPP
EBCM alone is almost a $1k!!!
Last edited by C5 ChemE; May 16, 2007 at 03:01 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville FL
May be worth while...
Well I passed on the extended warranty. My 2002 has only 14k on it and is currently getting rear differential replaced at dealer right now. As well as a BCM re-program due to and issue with the right side power lock and headlite. At this point I think I should have gotten the warranty. I never expected a rear differential replace at 14k. I've posted details in another post. I should drive it more and much harder. This would make costly repairs at this low mileage a little easier to swallow :-)
Regards, John
Regards, John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: white hall ar
used mine today
i just made a post about my car broke down this weekend .well it had a bad coil 1 spark plug 1 bad wire and they replaced both leaking rear axle boots .....cost to extended warranty 980.00 cost to me 000000000. i will buy another warranty when the time comes around again
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Arlington VA
GMPP warranties are only available for cars that still are covered under their original factory warranties. Therefore, given the age of your vette, if it's currently not already covered under a GMPP warranty, then you can't get one now. Having said all this, there are other warranty companies out there (some with good reputatations and some not) that will sell you a warranty for your car. I don't know anything about extended warranties for GM vehicles, outside of GMPP, but I recommend talking to a Chevrolet dealership that you like about which third-party extended warranty companies they deal with and which, if any, they recommend.
HTH,
- Max
HTH,
- Max
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
Dennis is the man when it comes to a GMPP warranty. He is out of town this week. You can do a search under the General section for his vacation post and contact information. He does have someone covering for him while gone. David
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
Here I found his reply........
As noted in previous posts in the C6 and C5 sections, I will be out of the dealership on my GMPP trip to Scotland from 5-14 till 5-23. I know Ken will be able to take care of any concerns or plans that need to be done while I am gone so you can contact him at my email address of gmpp@fichtnerchevrolet.com or by phone at 406-628-4618, Ext 103. If your ISD is later than 5-23 I can take care of it upon return to the dealership.
Thanks
Dennis Fichtner
As noted in previous posts in the C6 and C5 sections, I will be out of the dealership on my GMPP trip to Scotland from 5-14 till 5-23. I know Ken will be able to take care of any concerns or plans that need to be done while I am gone so you can contact him at my email address of gmpp@fichtnerchevrolet.com or by phone at 406-628-4618, Ext 103. If your ISD is later than 5-23 I can take care of it upon return to the dealership.
Thanks
Dennis Fichtner