New Ex35 Owner -> Is extended Warranty Worth buying?

[workflow]

Hi there.

I am new to this forum I just picked up my EX35 2010 model today from the dealership.

I was debating on buying extended warranty for my car. I am in Canada and the warranty is roughly $3,000 for 4yrs/100,000km.

I guess my question for the fellow EX35/37/QX50 owners out there is, have you guys experienced any problems with the electronics in their car (EG: Heating, 360 Camera, Navigation, etc).

Thanks
WF

[kingfrog]

$3000? I would not pay $3000 for protection . If this car needs $3000 worth of protection its not worth buying...

I am paying $640 for 3/36 I won;t keep it longer than that 7/75 cost $1060

[XIS]

I have never bought an extended warranty for any car. If it makes it through the first 4 yrs and if you take care of it, you should be fine for the next 4... Self-insure, if you must. Set up a separate account and pay yourself a monthly amount, just in case. That way - if you don't use it, you get to keep your money.

[seldomseen]

Extended Warranties can certainly be worth the money depending on the cost and type of coverage you purchase. Particularly if you own a luxury vehicle where parts like a "power window motor" can cost $200-$300. The typical mindset is if you purchase a used luxury vehicle with advanced electronics/features an extended warranty should be considered. Because in most cases the electronics/features typically fail after 4-5 years in most cases.

However, If you get a used car within the likes of a base Toyota Camry/Corolla, Nissan Sentra, etc an extended warranty isn't likely going to be needed within the first 7 years of ownership because non luxury vehicles don't contain many overpriced components that may break within 4-5 years of ownership.

Importantly, if you plan on keeping the car 3-5 years beyond its bumper to bumper warranty. An extended warranty may be a worth considering if you can purchase a Infiniti/Nissan backed warranty for $1,000 or less. Before decide to purchase the extended warranty, ask to see the contract that discloses what's covered and not covered and determine if the extended warranty offers any sort of prorated refund if coverage is never used or only slightly used.

[AZhitman]

Infiniti extended warranty discussion

seldomseen nailed it - great advice.

It's not necessary to buy THROUGH the dealer - All you're doing is paying a markup. They'll argue and say "their" warranty is better, but that's not true. Most auto warranties are underwritten by the same insurance agencies. I prefer cutting out the middleman.

[kingfrog]

I think the Infiniti Warranty is the best becasue the administrators want to keep the Infiniti business deal and are less likely to cause a problem. I am not sure if I will buy one or not. Although the price I got from Courtney of $1449 for 48/48 is a WHOLE lot better than Carchex or Ensurance. and no deductible. Downside is you have to go to Infiniti which in this case is probably a good idea. Although Nissan can do a lot of the work as well. I don't hear of many issues with these cars. I don't think I will spend $1450 in 4 years on a car with 29K on it today at 5000 miles per year tops. I may buy the 36/36 for 900 if I decide to sell though. Much easier to sell privately with a REAL INFINITI ELITE Service contract, I learned that selling my Tacoma. I got a lot of interest and my price because ii had a genuine Toyota care Platinum exclusionary 0 deductible VSC for 2 more years. The buyer had a better deal than a certified one.

Carmax gave me a written buy offer of $22,500 yesterday, Which is good becasue I did not pay much more than that. $1400. So I drove it now for 5 months for $280 a month.

[kingfrog]

So if you are still under the initial 4 year Manufacturers warranty it pays to buy an Infiniti VSC IF

1. you can get it at a discount
2. you plan to sell the car yourself with time remaining on it.

When you are selling a car yourself (which is what we always do) You are competing with dealers so not only can you sell for thousands less and still more than you would get in REAL trade value. You can offer a better extended service contract then they can.

In some states people trade for tax reasons. Here in South Carolina sales tax is capped at $300 no matter what you buy a $30,000 car or $300,000 car. So there is no tax advantage to trading.