mrblister

I have a 2005 sc 430 I bought new in nov 2004. I bought the extended Plat warranty 3 year 75,000 miles . This warranty is about to expire 11/11/11 . The car has 6500 miles yes not a misprint. I only use when weather is nice . The extended warranty is about to expire . There are no options to extend that through lexus or toyota . I will have to go to an aftermarket company.

Lexus recomended a National Warranty Co That they have had lots of experience with and they told me that its the same as the platinum coverage bumper to bumper except for tires brakes. I was told all major components are covered transmisson all computers convetible top rear suspension etc cooling

I realize its a crap shoot to roll the dice and not buy the warranty. I have to make up my own mind. Since I have a garage queen the car can still deteriote with no use perhaps as much as with use.

I called my Lexus dealership I use and made an appointment to have the car gone over looking for any issues there may be prior to my current Platuinum warranty expiring. It seems that the cost of going over the car like they do there CPO service checks is expensive . I dont think I have any issues now with the car but to pay for a major service check when I have a valid warranty
and perhaps find nothing might just cost me $ 300.00 to 400.00 to find nothing.

So it boils down to do should i spend 300.00 to 400.00 before warranty expires or just buy an extened warranty and continue the coverage so I wont need to do this service check and waste
the added money.

I would mention I plan on keeping this car and have no intention of selling it at any time. Its just I allready have spent 1500.00 for 3 years that I never used not once and now if i go for the full 4 year deal I will add another $3800.00 to the $ 1500,.00 so i will now have spent $ 5300.00 for peace of mind . I am starting to think I should not invest in this extended warranty since its really getting expensive .

4 year $ 3800.00
3 year $ 3000.00
2 year $ 2600.00
1 year $ 2200.00
0 deductable if service work performed at lexus or $ 50.00 if not


I kind of think the one lexus is recomending is high but they seem to honor all of the same things that the platinum warranty does

I know I may be rambeling along but perhaps the collective group can put me on the right track and offer some clarity .

I would appreciate comments and or advice

mandyfig

I would be in a pickle in your shoes. Tough call.

One thing to check the so called bumper to bumper is not as often as adverised. In fact there is no such thing. There are very fine print exclusions. Take the time to understand coverage.

If you decide to go for it, the 4 year seems to be the most reasonable, for less than a grand per year, you have peace of mind. Needless to say you will not be racking up miles on the car.

You can always put the $3,800 in the bank and play it. With the knowledge base in our CL, I think whatever comes your way, you will come out ahead and keep some or all of the $3,800 after 4 years.

I say it is a tough call.

Make the call and never look back.

So here's good luck to you.

Yes

With as little as you drive it, I personally would take your chances without a warranty.

Jabberwock

Agree - with almost no miles being added from year to year - I'd bank the $3800 and self insure. If you were gonna start running 15-20k more miles a year on the car, then warranty would make sense.

Gutz13

I agree also. Keep the money, stop worrying and enjoy the car! If you keep the car maintained, it shouldn't give you any problems in that 4 years, especially as little as you drive it.

mrblister

OK I just got off the phone with Troy From Greenfield Toyota He is the guy that sold me the Lexus Platinum 3 year plan for $ 1540.00 in 2009 That is expiring in this month. He told me he has an option for me that I qualify for. Its offered through Ford Motor Car Co. Its Is unique to me because it covers 4 years or 36,000.00 miles . The cost for four years is $ 1460.00 It has a $ 100.00 deductable and I can take the car to any Lexus dealership I want to. Troy says it covers exactly what the Platinum plan I now have which is a Lexus plan . The differance is the deductable and the mileage limit of 36,000 total. Since I have 6500 miles now I will have 30,000 miles over the next 4 years till the warranty runs out. This breaks down to $ 360.00 per year . I asked him about what is not covered and he said same as the Lexus Platinum Plan . Speakers air cond roof engine transmission all computers all electronics suspension are covered. The one requirment is I have to pay ford a $100.00 one time for an inspection of the car which is done at any ford agency . I have questions to ask him reff the requirments of the warranty as to what is required for maintence of my car.

Troy said many people buy a warranty from no branded companys with out questions. This warranty offered by Ford is a Branded company and he said its just backed by Ford Motor Car Co and that Lexus dealerships will honor the warranty claims or ford will reimburse me .

Any one in our group have any experience with this. Troy assures me that it is a legitimate plan and it was designed for low mileage vechicle that lets face it after six years going on 7 years of ownership I only have 6500 miles how rare is this. I cant see any down side to this it is backed by Ford Motor Car . I think this is a perfect option for me. I am waiting to read the brochure

Jabberwock

1460 plus $100 inspection is $1560 - that actually sounds pretty good for 4 years warranty given the age of the car. Here is what I would be concerned about - what ongoing maint are you required to perform to keep warranty in place. You might need to do all the year (time) based maint on the SC even though it has low miles - that could run into serious cost all by itself and likely is not needed. For example timing belt is good for 90k or 7 years - if you have the warranty will they require you do TB at 7 years to honor the warranty?