Another freakin' warranty question, DIY Maintenance vs dealer?

[csbacchus]

I am obviously a FNG, but I have a few questions regarding my new vette arriving next week. I have tentative paperwork signed, but I still have time to decide on extended warranties.

The dealer said that all maintenance, oil change, 12K, etc., work must be performed by a GM dealer to keep the warranty in good standing. True or False? I would really prefer to do these on my own. Done for less and done right!

GM protection plan extended warranty is only good at GM dealers. True or False? If this is true, do I really want this warranty over something like warrantydirect.com which allows me to take it almost anywhere? I have read some horror stories about dealer service centers on all kinds of cars, not just high tech C5s. Wouldn't a corvette specialist have better knowledge of these vehicles? :confused

This is my first new car purchase, all others were used and out of warranty. I don't want to make payments and repairs. I'm pushing it already, but 0% sure helps!

I can't wait to join the rest of you on the road in my new C5. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ctfoodguy2000]

Welcome to the and congrats on your new ride.

My dealer told me as long as you document oil changes. etc, you are covered.

I purchased the GM extended warranty. I felt confident that I could find a knowledgeable Vette tech working at a dealer. In my case, I am lucky to have C4C5Specialist in CT. He is a great source of knowledge and a CAC member! I have not had the need to call on him yet; only have 5200 miles.

I am sure others will post a respones shortly....

 

[bowtiebandit]

IMHO GMPP is definitely the way to go. Fast and accurate response to claims, no out of pocket hidden expenses. You'd be suprised how long vehicles sit in my shop waiting for a claims inspector to show up.
Do your research on this before you make any decission, I have 22 Chevy's in my family and all have GMPP warranties except 1.

 

[vettepilot]

I believe if you can produce documentation on routine maintenance items, (oil / filter changes) (air filter changes) etc. your normal warranty should cover anything that breaks during the normal factory warranty period.
I myself FWIW, have never purchased an extended warranty for anything. My figuring is.... if it doesn't break during the normal warranty period, then it isn't defective.
Now after saying that... IF I were to purchase an extended warranty, it would be very near the end of the normal factory warranty period. Why pay for something that you already have with the purchase of the vehicle.
Isn't the 2003 Factory Warranty still 3 years or 36000 miles bumper to bumper? That not a bad warranty for a high performance Chevy.
vettepilot

 

[LEEJANDZ]

csbacchus -- The dealer said that all maintenance, oil change, 12K, etc., work must be performed by a GM dealer to keep the warranty in good standing. True or False?
GM protection plan extended warranty is only good at GM dealers. True or False?

False, you can take your car wherever you want to.
You need to keep your receipts for the oil change items.

Grab the GMPP brochure and read it.
If it offers you the service you want... then offer the dealership 1/5 of the quoted price in cash.
Do not let them add it to your payments!!!

If you need any more help let me know.



JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[csbacchus]

Thanks for all the input. I have already found a dealer that will sell the same GMPP for half of the quoted price. I think I got a pretty good deal on the car and I'm not sure they will want to deal much on the warranty.

I will take a look at the fine print on the warranty though. I'm mostly concerned about replacing the most reliable, yet expensive equip, such as the tranny and engine. I can handle many of the smaller repair/maint. issues.

Even if they add it to my payments, I'm not paying interest. 0% rocks, but I appreciate the head's up.

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be posting again as more questions arise after its delivery this week.
:Twist

 

[leonm47]

Before you buy you owe it to ypourself to check out 1 Source. I have them and they are great. You can take your ride to the mechanic of your choice here I go to Corvettes of Dallas and they pay with a coporate credit card. I wouldn't buy anything from GM if I could help it. With the C5 you'd better buy something though. Contact 1 Source at www.1sourceautowarranty.com.

 

[DavidM]

leonm47: "With the C5 you'd better buy something though."

Why? With 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, I'm with vettepilot ... if it doesn't break during that period, it isn't defective and will probably have a reasonably normal service life.

I, too, am (hopefully) on the verge of a brand new C5, and I really am not even considering an extended warranty. Certainly, at least, not as part of the initial purchase. Maybe down the road, if a number of items on the car prove troublesome, I may consider it.

 

[csbacchus]

I took delivery of the 50th AE on Wednesday night and I can't wait until the break in period is over!

The dealership offered a full refund on it if it goes unused and I got it really cheap so it was really a no brainer. Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

While I understand the theory of not breaking before 3 yr/36000 it wasn't defective, but I've seen things go wrong on cars after 3yr/36000. For the money they should last 5/60000 without a problem.

American makers should really step up and extend it to 5/60000 anyways. It would show more confidence in their products. If they won't offer it, my question is why not? Will they lose too much money or are they making too much on the extended warranty and the dealers would freak if they couldn't sell them?

 

[bluecoupe]

They have options on the amout of deductable you need to pay (after the original warrenty is up) $0, $100 and so on. The higher the deductable the less the cost of the policy. If you are just getting it for big ticket items and want to save money get a policy with a deductable. Also there are different levels of coverage some cover just major items these are also less money. You have until the original warranty expires to buy the extended warranty. Also the warranty can be cashed in if you sell the car and the buyer doesn't want it or you decide later that you don't want it.

 

[FrankM]

I
The dealer said that all maintenance, oil change, 12K, etc., work must be performed by a GM dealer to keep the warranty in good standing. True or False?

False, keep records and be able to prove it was performed in a generally accepted service practice.

GM protection plan extended warranty is only good at GM dealers. True or False?

False. Although GMPP will find it easier to work with a GM dealer and there will be less questions asked.

 

[DRTH VTR]

SERVICE CONTRACTS

On the average, these insurance policies do not pay for themselves. If they paid out more in claims than they got as premiums, they would go out of business. If the extended warranty buys you peace of mind, great. But the average Joe loses money on the deal. Service contracts are a source of income 'on the back end' for car dealers.