Extended Warranty

[1stcorvette]

Is the extended warranty worth the cost?

[Stingray al]

Its a gamble. Insurance is always in favor of the insurance company

[Jay_Levine]

I paid about $1500 for 2 extra years. I do low mileage so total miles are only 40K. I look at that any of the electronic components that go are going to cost more than the 1500

[noname]

I called around and shopped prices. Depending on the state you live in, you can buy GM's major guard from any dealer.

I asked them all, what's the latest I could buy insurance without repercussions. The general consensus was after the car is 1 year old, the price will go up; and prices usually go up in September/October.

Maybe someone on the forum can give us the inside scoop if that's true or not.

But I'm planning on waiting until August to buy the insurance. It extends the warranty from when you purchase the insurance not when the birthdate of your vehicle.

I figure with one repair job I'll get my money back.

[1stcorvette]

Somebody on here had to purchase GMPP didn't they? I also heard that Fichtner's has some low prices.

My lender wants to charge me $1700 for for 72 months or 100,000 mi. I will call Fichtner's tomorrow, unless I get any more feedback.

[WesC5]

Definitely worth the cost and peace of mind. I had my Extended warranty through Fichtner.

I did a lot of searching and they provide the best Extended Warranty for the cost...by far.

I've used it on my '01 and '04. Never had a problem with anything being covered. Make sure you get the bumper to bumper warranty. I'll use them again when I purchase my C7 this year.

The person you want to talk to is Dennis Fichtner...he handles all Extended Warranty plans.... Below is his info.


Dennis Fichtner
dfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com
gmpp@fichtnerchevrolet.com
406-628-4618, Ext 105

[1stcorvette]

Originally Posted by WesC5

Definitely worth the cost and peace of mind. I had my Extended warranty through Fichtner.

I did a lot of searching and they provide the best Extended Warranty for the cost...by far.

I've used it on my '01 and '04. Never had a problem with anything being covered. Make sure you get the bumper to bumper warranty. I'll use them again when I purchase my C7 this year.

The person you want to talk to is Dennis Fichtner...he handles all Extended Warranty plans.... Below is his info.


Dennis Fichtner
dfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com
gmpp@fichtnerchevrolet.com
406-628-4618, Ext 105

Wes, thanks a lot, I did talk to Dennis and it seems like a worthwhile purchase.
Especially with all the electronics

[DucMan]

Originally Posted by 1stcorvette

Is the extended warranty worth the cost?

Check out this article, maybe this will help.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...anty/index.htm

[WesC5]

Originally Posted by DucMan

Check out this article, maybe this will help.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...anty/index.htm

For the most part I agree with Consumer Reports--for most products....except for my specific lifestyle when owning a car. I've kept almost all my cars/trucks anywhere from 7-12 years. Ironically, the only cars I've ever carried an extended warranty on are my Corvettes. Overall, I probably did lose $$'s on the warranty with my 2001 but I've saved $$$'s on my 2004. As a matter of fact, it's extended warranty runs out this April. Never had many issues with the '04 until these past 18 months---numerous TPM issues, Air injection check valve, stabilizer shaft link replacement, a heater motor replacement & 2 window motor replacements.

Engineering has become so exact and precise that when a part is engineered to last "x" amount of hours...that's exactly what it does. Thus only 3 or maybe 4 year warranties.

Is it a gamble? Yep....but I'll get one again for the C7.... tooooo many computers and electronics running the vehicle.

[WARP TEN]

One man's perspective on extended warranties and service contracts: When I bought my first ZR-1 in 1994 I got a 7 year, 60,000 mile GM extended warranty (For the record, $900 back then) because I felt the engines were exotic enough that if there were problems it might make sense. Turns out I used it rarely so I suppose I lost money, but I liked having it just in case.

As my retirement job, I sell BMWs and MINIs for a dealer in northeastern Illinois. Our F&I folks sell extended warranties, extended maintenance agreements and tire and wheel coverage, as well as other items. None of these make any sense if you are financially comfortable taking a financial hit of a thousand dollars or two. And they do create extra profits for dealers.

But if you like insurance type products, in our area the most sensible from my viewpoint is the tire and wheel warranty. Like many Corvettes, the cars we sell come with larger diameter alloy wheels with run flat tires. We have a lot of potholes around here. I put this coverage on my wife's BMW 335xi and she went through two tires and broke one 18" wheel. All covered, so it paid for itself. I put the same coverage on my 535xi and have not made a claim yet, so it is just an insurance product. So it all depends on how you feel about these things. It is probably the most popular F&I product sold here.

BMWs and MINIs also come standard with free scheduled maintenance as part of their 4 year/50,000 mile warranties. Besides oil changes, etc., the free maintenance program covers brake pads and rotors. For BMWs it is a 4 year plan to match the warranty. For Minis it is a 3 year program. Many MINI owners get a maintenance plan extension that goes to 6 years or 100,000 miles from the in-service date. It is probably the second most popular program. They figure they probably won't go through brakes in 3 years but might in 4 or 5, and the cost of a brake job is often about half the cost of the maintenance plan extension (about $1,800). We also sell a lot of Certified Pre-Owned cars, which have Certified coverage that begins at the end of the original warranty and goes up to 100,000 miles or 6 years from the in-service date. Many will buy a maintenance plan extension to match the extended warranty time frame.

It is all personal preference on these items but I would recommend that if you get any such plans that you get them from the dealer where you bought the car and stick with the manufacturer's plans. It is easier to get any gray area items resolved, and if you have a good relationship with the dealer they will usually go all out to help you. At least we do here. And it is never a bad idea to do some research and find out what other delaers are charging for the same products. There is some negotiating room. --Bob.

[C7Driver]

I purchased two extended warranties from Dennis Fichtner, one for my 2001 Corvette and the other for my current 2008 Corvette. The '01 needed more than $4,000 in repairs during the extended warranty period. The warranty on my '08 has not been used and runs till July 2015. I'm glad I got the warranties. Fichtner's prices were hundreds less than a local dealer.

[Dada]

Bad news Dennis's dealership got sold. I wrote to the new owner to see if Dennis is there. I need an extended warranty-wrote to Becky anybody else we can order from?

[WARP TEN]

Here is what Ken Fichtner posted on a different site which includes his contact information. I have never dealt with him personally but he is reported to be a very standup guy and offers the most competitive extended warranties. --Bob


Originally Posted by Ken Fichtner, Denny Menholt Chevrolet
Big News from Ken Fichtner!

May 4, 2015

Dear friends,

We made the difficult decision to sell our dealership, Fichtner Chevrolet, in 2014.

Fichtner Chevrolet became Rimrock Chevrolet on August 20, 2014.

The owners asked that I remain as their General Manager.

After 8 months at Rimrock Chevrolet, I am happy to announce that I have begun a new chapter in my life!

The Fichtner team of Ken and Kathy have moved to Denny Menholt Chevrolet in Billings, MT.

Denny Menholt is the largest Chevy dealership in Montana and we are so excited to be able to offer our friends a great buying experience!

General Motors Protection Plans (GMPP) and Chevrolet Protection Plans (GMEPP) at a discount.

Supplier Pricing on all new Corvettes (excluding Z06).

Ken and Kathy are Corvette Certified and the service department and body shop at Denny Menholt’s are Corvette Certified as well!

Titles and duties:
Kathy Fichtner — Internet Sales, Corvette Specialist
Ken Fichtner — Fleet Sales, Corvette Specialist, Warranty Specialist

For new and pre-owned Corvettes, please contact Kathy:
kfichtner@dennymenholt.com
406-896-3083 Office
406-855-6789 Cell

For new and pre-owned Corvettes and GM Protection Plans, please contact Ken:
kenfichtner@dennymenholt.com
406-896-3088 Office
406-672-5690 Cell

For the lowest prices on GM Protection Plans please give me an opportunity to email you a quote.
I am offering the new GM Extended Protection Plan at the lowest possible price without sales tax or any fees for a credit card....AND it's available on all makes and models EVEN IF the base warranty has expired!!

Have a great day!"

[Beowulf]

I had the extended warranty (100000 miles) on a 2007 duelly, at 99994 miles (literally 6 miles till the warranty expired) I had a problem with my drive train. At that point I thought the extended warranty was well worth the cost.