Jackalope

The 2005 SC430 I just bought has 18K miles on it. The factory warranty ends on December 18th. Today they told me that I can buy a "Distributor's Warranty" that will continue the platinum level, bumper-to-bumper coverage for 100K or seven years from today, whichever comes first, for $3000 (special December, "Event to Remember" price).

I don't know what to do. Lexus has the best reliability in the industry, but all the electric motors and sensors can cost a fortune if they go bad. But what's the chance that they WILL go bad?

Should I take him up on it? How many owners have had repairs needed that would've exceeded $3000 had they had to pay for it? Three grand is a bundle for something you may never need, but repairs could easily exceed that if the car starts giving trouble.

CBG

$3000 is alot to pay when if you look around some you can find the same warranty for 1/2 that price. You can buy a extended warranty anywhere at other dealers or from a private 3rd party. You can find them cheaper if you look around this site. With your car only having 18K miles I don't think you will need much work on it but like you said repairs to these cars can add up real fast and that is a choice you need to make.

Good Luck

Jackalope

CBG - Thanks for your input. Yes, I know that cheaper warranties are to be had, but most of those don't cover all the electric motors and switches in the car. This warranty is from Lexus, not a 3rd Party and that gives me a bit of confidence that if I bought it, I'd have few problems with getting things covered. I've never been a fan of extended warranties; I've always felt that most things go wrong in a car either immediately after delivery because something wasn't caught at the factory or way down the line (100k+) when age caught up.

My problem is that this is my first Lexus...hell, this is my first Japanese car. I think I'm probably the last person in America to own an import. If it were something much less complex like a Chevy, I wouldn't even consider it. I just have nightmares about the twelve motors in the top going out and having to be replaced as a set ($6,000). But what are the odds?

Jackalope

Bearings, thanks for your input. I have no idea what that post had to do with my question, but thanks for your input.

Tensi

7 years from today? I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

ZMonet

Yeah, 7 years from the date of purchase is really good. My wife and I just bought a 2002 with 35,000 miles and decided to forgo the aftermarket warranty and go with the Lexus warranty. It cost us $3000 for 4 years/50,000 miles (from the date of purchase) but since the car is a 2002 we felt like it was worth it for our peace of mind. We used it on Day 4 of the warranty for the replacement of the driver side mirror ($600). I'm pretty sure that we'll get at or near our $3000 by the end of the warranty.

You can shop around and see if other Lexus dealerships can give you a better price. I know we got prices of $2850 to $4200 from different Lexus dealers for the same warranty! [We paid $3000 because the dealership that quoted us $2850 then said we couldn't get a warranty because of the build date (2001) on the Lexus -- not sure why another dealer was able to get it.]

driftway

warrantydirect.com states they will cover the top motors. May go for this on my O2, can't get lexus warranty. Its about $1900.....

Gojirra99

$3000 for 7 years from today bumper-to-bumper sounds more than reasonable to me

Jackalope

Oh, I think it's reasonable. My question is, is it needed?

For those who have had an SC up to around 100K, how many problems have you had? What are the odds of needed $3000 worth of repairs, particularly in non-drivetrain areas?

GXlexus470

I am trying to shop for ext warranty myself for the wife's 05RX330. I got this guy's name from this forum. has anyone dealt with him before. $1655 for 7yr/100K Platinum; $1295 for 7yr/75K Platinum or $1275 for 7yr/100K Gold. Any suggestion on which one. This is Lexus Warranty not a third party.

Toyota of Greenfield
12 Olive Street
Greenfield, MA 01301

Attn: Troy Dietrich

Please call or email me if you think of any more questions. My phone number
is (413) 772-0989.

ZMonet

I haven't, but Google Troy Dietrich and you'll see some pretty favorable comments.

Jackalope

This thing about Troy Dietrich is really interesting. That's almost half what I'm being told it costs.

Anyone had any dealings with him?

The Ikon

Go to your dealer's finance manager or general manager(if neither budge ask for the owner) and ask them to sell you the warranty for $1800 and they will! Especially if their is other placesin town to service your car. The dealer will benefit whenever the car comes in for service and any repairs you may have in the future!

The dealers cost for the warranty is about $1575.00! I bought a $3000 Jaguar Select edition 100K warranty at dealer rate for $1700.00 when I told them I would purchase it from someone else and use their service facilities.

Barton

I bought the extended warranty (7 year platinum) through Troy Dietrich for my 2005 SC430 and all is well as far as I know. I have not had to do make any repairs, but I did check with my local dealership and they acknowledged that the new warranty is in place. Good Luck.

tcho82

iTrader: (1)

His VM says Ford Lincoln Mercury. Is he still with Toyota?