Seeking comments on Saturn 'Extended Warranties'

[Phil Marshall]

Hi all:

Well, we are really starting to get excited now. I've done all the research possible and we will be going to the dealer next week to make the deal on a Saturn Vue. Not 100% sure if we will go for the 4 or 6 Cyl. The test drive will decide that .....

My question now has to do with the extended warranty I KNOW they will be offering us. In the past I have always said NO THANKS to these. But I thought I'd run it by the group and see what other folks have done

I see on the official Saturn web site they mention four options -

1. Extended vehicle coverage

2. Extended powertrain coverage

3. Basic care

4. Car care

The first one covers basically everything, the second is for the powertrain. The last two cover basic maintenance items IE oil change & tire rotation. No word on costs. I guess that's left up to the individual dealer. Comments?

Thanks, Phil

 

[BläBlä]

Hi all:

Well, we are really starting to get excited now. I've done all the research possible and we will be going to the dealer next week to make the deal on a Saturn Vue. Not 100% sure if we will go for the 4 or 6 Cyl. The test drive will decide that .....

If the 4 has enough power to merge safely on the highway for you go with the 4. Better mpg and doesnt have a costly timing belt to service.

My question now has to do with the extended warranty I KNOW they will be offering us. In the past I have always said NO THANKS to these. But I thought I'd run it by the group and see what other folks have done

I see on the official Saturn web site they mention four options -

1. Extended vehicle coverage

2. Extended powertrain coverage

3. Basic care

4. Car care

The first one covers basically everything, the second is for the powertrain. The last two cover basic maintenance items IE oil change & tire rotation. No word on costs. I guess that's left up to the individual dealer. Comments?

Thanks, Phil

The Ecotec is a pretty solid design, if nothing bad happens to it before 36k nothing will if it is maintained. The 5AT transaxle I dont know much about. You can do some searching on it to find out if there are any issues... I'm not sure of the pedigree of this trans either. The Getrag however should be rock solid, minus clutching skills.

Oil changes on the Ecotec are so damn easy that you might enjoy doing them yourself, the 3.5 has the oil filter buried in the control arm... Give a estimate of each of those warranties if you can. Marx will no doubt know the most about these in here.

 

[marx404]

As far as the warranties, there are a few out there and it all depends on what that particular dealership is offering. Two of the most popular are MasterTech and Easy Care. In my experience, they are similar in price and in coverage. Keeping in mind that with a new Saturn you start out with a 3yr/36K mi. warranty. Extended warranties only kick in after the original mfg. warranty expires. However, it is always cheaper to purchase the Ex. Warr. when the car is new as the Warr. Companies charge more the older and more miles a car has.

On the plus side, an extended warr. can save you alot of money once the original expires. One covered repair later on can possibly save you what you invested in your ex. warr. to begin with. Most ex. warr. come with either just powertrain or full coverage. If you can, purchase the full coverage or the best you can afford. Remember, once your 3yrs or 36K is over you have no coverage unless you have an extended warr. and buying one at that point can be as expensive as the repair itself, so buying one when the car is always a smart move.

Make sure that thye paln allows yuo to take your car anywhere, you never know if you might find yourself not near a Saturn shop and in need. Make sure you fully understand what is and what is not covered.

Will you ever need the ex. warr? I hope not. But just like other ins., its peace of mind for a rainy day.

marx404

 

[Bobbyp]

DITTO on what marx404 wrote. With the two warranties I've purchased in the past, I would have been better off NOT buying them.

I seem to remember Consumer Reports did not recommend them and questioned the fact that 40% immediately is given to the dealer, 40% immediately goes to the insurance company, and 20% is set aside for your repairs.

Please do whatever you feel comfortable with,

bobbyp

 

[marx404]

thats not what I said. please read my post in full again. Let me also add that if you intend to keep your brand new car longer than the warranty period, it is foolish to not have an extended warranty unless you have deep pockets. However, if you absolutely know that you will be getting rid of that car before the orig. warranty runs out, then you wont ever need an extended warr.
marx404

 

[BläBlä]

thats not what I said. please read my post in full again. Let me also add that if you intend to keep your brand new car longer than the warranty period, it is foolish to not have an extended warranty unless you have deep pockets. However, if you absolutely know that you will be getting rid of that car before the orig. warranty runs out, then you wont ever need an extended warr.
marx404

If you get the 3.5L I would say yeah maybe get the 100k extended warranty if its under 1300 bucks... The only thing I would worry about with a Vue now is an early failure of the timing belt on the 3.5L Honda engine. Otherwise I cant see there ever being more than 1200 bucks of warranty type repairs between 100k miles if that. If there is you best stop going to the dealer and get the repairs done elsewhere for less.

 

[misterfact]

Hi all:

Well, we are really starting to get excited now. I've done all the research possible and we will be going to the dealer next week to make the deal on a Saturn Vue. Not 100% sure if we will go for the 4 or 6 Cyl. The test drive will decide that .....

My question now has to do with the extended warranty I KNOW they will be offering us. In the past I have always said NO THANKS to these. But I thought I'd run it by the group and see what other folks have done

http://www.lemonaidcars.com

GM's Saturn: a 'Dead Man Walking'
GM's Saturn division is in serious trouble due to chronic powertrain problems, that its recent purchase of Honda engines won't cure.

Japanese and South Korean competitors have been proven to offer far better quality for a slightly higher cost. Even GM's less pretentious models, like the Cavalier and Sunfire offer better quality and value for the money.

Saturns have exhibited a plethora of serious mechanical problems, which GM has masked by setting up extended warranties applicable to original buyers. Owners of used Saturns say they are treated like they're from some other planet.

Engines and Trannies

In a March 2000 Customer Satisfaction Campaign letter (No: 00-C-09) sent to dealers, GM admits that the Saturn 2.2L 4-cylinder engines "were produced with internal engine components that may fail prematurely." GM says it will replace the engine at no charge with no mileage or time limitations, in addition to providing a loaner vehicle or paying rental costs.

Faulty CVT automatic transmissions forced GM to halt production of the Ion Coupe and Vue during the first quarter of 2004; almost 200,000 units were affected. Saturn owners say the transmission hesitates at low speeds, causes the engine to surge, and makes grinding noises. Automotive News reports that when the CVT was introduced on late-2002 models, it had been delayed a year due to problems with inconsistent machining of parts, the hydraulic pump, and the software."

Saturn's ads are far better than the company's cars and Vue SUV (Vue service bulletins show serious powertrain defects). DON'T GO ANYWHERE NEAR A NEW OR USED SATURN UNLESS YOU ARE ARMED TO THE TEETH WITH A COMPREHENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY !

also- go to GOOGLE; click on GROUPS; then enter keywords SATURN, MISTERFACT, CYLINDER HEADS, BALL JOINTS, HOW TO BUY

 

[Private]

snip With the two warranties I've purchased in

the past, I would have been better off NOT buying them.

I seem to remember Consumer Reports did not recommend them and questioned the fact that 40% immediately is given to the dealer, 40% immediately goes to the insurance company, and 20% is set aside for your repairs.

Please do whatever you feel comfortable with,

bobbyp

snip

IMHO extended warranties are not a good substitute for careful MECHANICAL DESIGN research before purchase or for proper maintenance after. Extended warranties are also an up front cost that may require financing, and certainly fit the definition of paying in advance for services you hope to never use. The only thing about an extended warranty that is guaranteed is the upfront cost (and the high commission paid to the dealer and the salesman). IMHO standard mfg warranties are sufficient to take care of infant mortality and serious problems like poorly cast cylinder heads are often given extended coverage after high failure rates become evident.

Avoid new models of engines or especially transmissions. IMHO the most likely and very expensive failure point in any modern vehicle is the automatic transmission, they will also increase your fuel consumption. Small light cars with manual transmissions also have much better performance and if driven correctly (progressive and short shifting and DO NOT RIDE OR SLIP THE CLUTCH) will give very good clutch life. While the cost of labor is similar, a new clutch is a LOT cheaper that some POS rebuilt? auto transmission, (and the repair usually works properly and for a similar time as the original).

There are only two certainties in life and maintenance or cost free transportation is not one of them. Don't buy more vehicle than you can afford (to lose).