I just bought my car and while singing the paperwork the finance person asked if I wanted the extended warranty (Nissan Security +Plus) for $2,000, which I declined. He then went on to explain how the warranty works and basically broke it down as such:

1 year/12k miles - comprehensive coverage
3 year/36k miles - bumper-to-bumper, with $160 diagnostic charge per visist
5 year/60k miles - powertrain, with $160 diagnostic charge per visit

What is the difference in the comprehensive (1 year/12k miles) warranty and the bumper-to-bumper (3 years/36k miles) warranty, aside from the $160 diagnostic charge?

The finance person said that the extended warranty can only be purchased at time of the initial sale of the vehicle, however, I read here (http://www.nissanextendedwarranty.co...uard_plus.html) that I can purchase anytime within the 3 year/ 36k miles; Im guessing he was bs'ing me as I know most other manufacturers will allow you to purchase an extended warranty if you're the original owner and within the basic factory warranty time frame/mileage.

Does anyone know if that site I posted a link to is selling the same exact warranty the dealer is selling? Depending on their price, I might be interested in it, if it is the same.

Lastly, has anyone purchased the extended warranty and if so did you opt for the Gold Preferred, Gold, Silver Preferred, Silver, or Bronze?

Sorry for the long post!

 

PAY for it with cash.I'd get the dealer extended warrenty.

 

its a waste, most aftermarket warranties have specific repair prices they will pay and if any damage is done over that amount they wont cover it, you will have too. You should use google for more info, very helpful

 

If I wanted unbiased warranty information I would read the warranty. But that's just me.

 

Yup those guys in the finance office are the true sharks of a dealership..

Yes like you mentioned you can buy an extended warranty anytime within the OEM warranty timeframe. My advice is to call or fax other dealers and shop around.

Also do a search as I remember there were some threads about pricing etc..

But for myself extended warranties are basically a waste of money.

 

I agree that extended warranties tend to be a waste as I do most of my own work as well, but if I were able to avoid cost of parts, etc I would be much happier. To be honest, I dont know how long I will own my Z after the 3 year period and I also dont know how long it will be stock and not be modded in a manner to void a certain part of the warranty anyway. So if the price were good enough I would consider it; but if I can wait to purchase the extended warranty until Im toward the end of the OEM warrant time frame that I would more likely do that IF I feel I will still have the car and IF it is still warranty-able (I think I just made up a word...).

 

I dont believe it's an aftermarket warranty. Nissan Security +Plus warranty, to me anyway, looks like a genuine Nissan extended warranty.

 

$2k for extended warranty? Ouch...

I only payed $900 for mine which was 10 years / 70k miles bumper to bumper from Nissan back in 04'...

You have to haggle to get a good price on the extended warranty...

The only thing is if you buy the extended warranty at the time of purchase you can get it cheaper then if you buy it 3 years later... The reason is they get to collect free interest on that money for the first 3 years before it goes into effect.. If you buy it later expect to pay full price for it...

 

Do you remember which plan/coverage you bought?

This one brochure for the Security +Plus says that it covers 7 years/100k miles. The finance manager told me they had changed their warranty from being 3 years/36k comprehensive to that 1year/12k comp., then calling the 3 year/35k "bumper-to-bumper." Kind of sucks they charge you $160 diagnostics fee just to look at your car even though its under warranty...

 

think about how a warranty works, its no different for your car or the dvd player you buy at best buy. the company offering the warranty figures out how much they are likely to have to pay to fix things under warranty then tacks on their profit margin(say 20%). and tells the dealer for anything over X price that you sell it for you can keep. so when you buy the warranty you are basically gambling. your betting that your car is going to break more than the average Z. now ask anyone who gambles if that is a good bet

 

I always own at least 3 vehicles; a family sedan ('06 Camry), a work truck ('02 Frontier, and a toy ('06 Z Enthusiast.) I keep most about 5 years and I drive each about 15K a year (total annual mileage 45-50K). I follow the factory maintainence schedules, but dont particularly baby any of them.

The total repair costs on all vehicles combined over the last 15 years or so have been less than $1500. And that includes brakes, exhaust, and batteries, which most warranties exclude anyway.

Why would anyone spend $2000 for an extended warranty?

bill

 

Yup, and just like Las Vegas, you're an amatuer betting against the pros.

And just like Las Vegas, sometimes the amatuer gambler wins a few bucks, but overall, the house ALWAYS wins.

bill

 

You drive... a lot! I drive more like 12-15k/yr and I expect the Z to see maybe 8-10k of those, at the very max unless something changes my mind...

I understand it's a gamble, but they also tell you that when I got to unload the car I can get back whatever of the $2,000 I have no used so it's like giving them a loan, for which hopefully they'll pay up on. I think I will skip it for now and wait to see how the first year or two go before I decide to buy the warranty since I dont have to buy it at time of purchase. BTW I will be going to Vegas for the 6th time this year in December; so yeah, I gamble a bit...

On another note, I realize after the first year or 12k miles, I will be assessed a "diagnostics charge" anytime I bring the car in for warranty work - has anyone ever had their car misdiagnosed and had to pay this fee multiple times? Or is it one fee per issue until it is fixed?

 

Good point. Difficult to beat the house.

 

I recall paying $90 for diagnostics. The problem was determined to be a warranty fix, and I got the $90 back.

 

Which OEM warranty were you covered under? Bumper-to-bumper or powertrain? Im guessing each dealer will try to rape you differently with the diagnostics fee.

 

get warranty man..

 

I went and paid off the dealer tonight and declined their extended warranty - for now. I'll see how the first year or so of ownership goes and then make my decision to buy the warranty or not.

 

make sure you read the fine print. people sell our (insert insurance company name here) policies and throw around "bumper-to-bumper" just to sell them. if you do decide to get it, check all the exclusions. nothing angers me more than telling a customer why his air bag claim was denied and they say "but they told me it was bumper to bumper". their job is to sell policies, not explain what might not be covered (see: ***** customer service). even factory warranties don't pay for brake pads, clutches, paint, normal wear/tear, etc so why do they say bumper-to-bumper? if they're just selling 3rd party's policy, know who it is. some companies max out toward shop's labor rates (they charge 100/hr, they will pay up to 75/hr, you foot the rest). ours pay whatever the shop charges BUT up to MSRP on parts and labor times out of a published labor guide which means if they mark up the price on a part or want to charge 2 hrs more than what the book says it takes to do the job, they could pass the difference on to you (not our fault, see: stealership). we have 100/50/0 deductible policies. those "diagnostic charges" seem a bit outrageous and raise a red flag in my book. emissions/hoses/belts/restraint systems/adjustments are excluded by MANY companies. just a few things you should keep in mind. if you got any questions, hit me up.