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Subaru Added Security
Yesterday I got a brochure in the mail from Subaru offering their Subaru Added Security coverage. I purchased my 09 Legacy in Sept 08 and it now has less than 10K miles. They're offering the Classic Plus package for $564 to extend the warranty to 5 yr/60,000 miles. The brochure speaks of a $100 deductible per occurrence but says a $0 deductible option is available. I noticed on the Subaru website that a Gold Plus package is available as well, but there is no pricing on the website, or in my mailing, for that plan.
I have not owned a Subaru in the past and would like to know what other people think about the Subaru Added Security plan compared to other extended warranty plans. I guess I'm going to have to call Subaru sometime to ask about the Gold Plus package and the $0 deductible option. Any thoughts on Classic Plan vs Gold Plan?
Also, I had read on another thread that the plan(s) may be negotiable at the dealership? Is that during the initial auto purchase only, or anytime? I don't know if my local dealer would negotiate.
I hate the thought of spending money for the extended warranty, but I equally hate the thought of having a potentially high repair bill as well, after the factory warranty expires.
Thank you for your thoughts...
I have not owned a Subaru in the past and would like to know what other people think about the Subaru Added Security plan compared to other extended warranty plans. I guess I'm going to have to call Subaru sometime to ask about the Gold Plus package and the $0 deductible option. Any thoughts on Classic Plan vs Gold Plan?
Also, I had read on another thread that the plan(s) may be negotiable at the dealership? Is that during the initial auto purchase only, or anytime? I don't know if my local dealer would negotiate.
I hate the thought of spending money for the extended warranty, but I equally hate the thought of having a potentially high repair bill as well, after the factory warranty expires.
Thank you for your thoughts...
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Of the many new cars we have bought and kept beyond the basic warranty, there was only one - a 95 Chevy conversion van, that would have benefitted from an extended warranty when the transmission failed at 37K miles.
Its not a bad extended service contract - but I'm still going to pass for the following reasons: 1. Our cars are driven gently and 2. Our roads are some of the best in the US. So the miles put on our subarus are among the easiest any car would see. For example, my roundtrip commute is 108 moderate speed (55-60mph) highway miles with not one pothole.
I think if we did short trips, drove in the city, did any stop & go, on New England's awful roads, then we'd look into the "Subaru Added Security" extended service contract more seriously. For our situations, it isn't as likely to be needed.
My car is gently driven as well, I'm usually the only driver and I don't hot rod it. My drive to work is 9.5 miles each way, speeds ranging from 35 to 45 to (briefly) 55. After 8 miles I get into town, and drive a mile and a half with some stoplights along the last little bit. No potholes, but the road is not smooth as glass. I live in the mountains and, while my drive to work used to be 20 miles each way on a curvy, mountain road, now I work closer to home and the drive is much less curvy.
I'm thinking I'll pass on the service plan too, but I might consider it if it was for 6 years from the date the car is put into service, like yours is. Subaru's are SUPPOSED to be reliable and durable, but anything can happen at anytime with any car, and I suppose I'll just bear the risk. :shades:
Plus, it's MUCH easier to sell a vehicle that still has a little warranty left in it. We sold a 2002 Legacy last year that had a 7/100 warranty and the buyer said that was the reason he chose our car. He had almost a year left so no worries, no inspection, and he paid full asking price, which was about a grand more than my minimum price.
So if you look at it that way, I got my money back and then some.
thanks!
If I get the 100k and sell before that, I lose. However, we are pretty lethargic when it comes to making major changes so might plan to trade it in at 90k but keep it way past that.
So, just in terms of potential problems, are you likely to get a lot between 80k and 100k?
I got my moneys worth on my 98 legacy GT with my Gold SAS - new a/c , several new power antennas, oil leak and various sundry other things, but on my WRX which I only drive 6K a year I probably lost a few hundred.
take these prices to your dealer and have them match it or beat it
scott putnams subaru,net site has great prices, about a third off list
Figure out how many miles you drive per year and look at the longest combination of time & mileage that makes sense given your car buying habits. I don't think that babying the car or quality of roads necessarily correlates with the likelihood of needing coverage on a complex, modern car.
For example, if you tend to keep a car you like and that is reliable, I wouldn't trade it just because it needs a timing belt change (& associated things you should do then too), if it's still working well and you still like it. Do the maintenance and roll on ...
My German car has been babied and driven on good roads, and (I've recovered more than twice what I paid for the extended service contract on it). All new cars are hideously complex. They tend to break less often than years ago, but they rarely are fixed cheap.
The prices are so relatively reasonable IMO that I will probably get a 7/100 contract on the '09 Ltd. it looks like I may buy shortly.
just my $.02...
We'll get to test that out on the '09 OB in a couple of months.
jc
Shop other dealers, even.
good luck
$1000 - Gold Added Security extended warranty. 7-Year, 70,000-mile, $100 deductable.
$700 - Maintenance Plan. 45,000 miles, 7,500 mile interval. Supposedly, the 36 month limit on the maintenance plan is not enforced. $400 discount for dealership's normal inclusion of free oil changes for the first 24 months.
As for the Added Security maintenace plan, here is what it includes:
Mileage interval: 3000
Replace
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter
- Drain Gasket
Mileage interval: 7500, 22500, 37500
Replace
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter
- Drain Gasket
- Tire Rotation
Mileage interval: 15000, 45000
Replace
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter
- Drain Gasket
- Tire Rotation
Inspect
- Disc Brakes pads and discs
- Front and rear axle boots and axle shaft joint portions
- Brake lines & check operation of parking and service brake system
- Clutch Operation and Steering & Suspension
Mileage interval: 30000
Replace
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter
- Drain Gasket
- Tire Rotation
- Engine coolant
- Spark plugs (if needed)
- Air cleaner element
- Brake fluid
- Cooling system conditioner
Inspect
- Disc Brakes pads and discs
- Front and rear axle boots and axle shaft joint portions
- Brake lines & check operation of parking and service brake system
- Clutch Operation and Steering & Suspension
- Cooling system hoses & connections
- Drive belts (including camshaft belts)
--------------
Any advice of the value of the above would be appreciated.
My dealer charges something like $450 for the 30k service alone, so that's worth considering. I do everything myself, but if you're not the do-it-yourself type and don't expect to move out of town, you may actually come out ahead. Just make sure you like that dealer and will want to come back. Talk to the service manager, check out the service bays.
On the Gold plan, find out if you can get the 100,000 mile plan for that price if you think you will us that many miles in 7 years. I think it is better to run out of time (if possible) rather than run out of warranty due to miles. But, if you manage to hit your mileage limit near the time limit.... you did it just about right!
I think I will drop both. The following is my reasoning:
As per the $700 Maintenance plan, Subaru included the 24000/2-year maintenance plan for free with my purchase (it is a Texas promo). So, that $700 is buying me the 30000, 37500 and 45000 service. And those last two services are largely just oil changes/rotations.
As for the $1000 extended warranty, with subaru.net offering the same deal for $1020, it seems delaying the purchase is not a costly decision. I only pay a $20 penalty if I want it later.
What do you two think?
Wait on the warranty, you'll make up that $20 in interest on the $1020 in the 3 years you have to decide.
The last thing that bugs me about the maintenance plan is that it includes a coolant change. Yet the 2009 Outback has coolant that lasts 100000+ miles.
So I did reject both. I hope to pick up the extended warranty later. There have been several references in the forums that better offers are made by Subaru in the mail, over time.
Thanks,
Jilly'sMom
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
Just yanking your chain, you know that.
I have heard that Autocheck is affiliated with Equifax and therefore there is more information. Which would seem to imply that they are using purchase information. Somehow that seems like a violation of privacy but that sort of database would likely be more comprehensive.
Has anyone had any experience with Autocheck? Any rants or raves? The one criticism I read somewhere was from someone that gave their subscription pretty heavy use and it was terminated for suspicion of commercial purposes.
Also, is anyone aware of any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) on the 09s, or does it matter since the vehicle would be under warranty?
Also, can someone give me a quick refresher on the difference between Subaru Added Security (SAS) and the Gold Plus extended B to B warranty? I get the impression that SAS covers routine maintenance, is that correct? How much extra is that? Is it worth the extra money? Would a used Subaru be eligible?
Finally, I'm surprised I haven't seen any posts here regarding significant savings off of the retail price on the Gold Plus. The last time I bought a Subaru Gold Plus I got a quote from Stacy Subaru (Brattleboro VT) and used it to negotiate with the dealer I was buying from (they matched the quote). I forget the exact numbers but I think I saved 40% to 45% off of retail.
On behalf of my mom, thanks in advance.
~Cath
Click my name and email me for info...
Subaru Added Security = Extended Warranty
It contains 2 plans : Basic, Gold Plus
Of course Basic covers basic stuffs and Gold Plus covers like new car bumper-to-bumper, road side assistance, towing, trip interuption. You can stop by any Subaru dealer to get a Added Security brochure to get idea.
If you want further info please click my name to email me. You can buy these before the standard warranty 3yr/36k mi. expiry.
Your profile notes that your email is private.
I did email bigdadi118.
Thanks,
~Cath
Thanks for the responses on the warranty question but I'm also looking for feedback on Carfax versus Autocheck.
~Cath
Flemington Subaru tried to write up a ton of "aftermarket" parts on my car even though 90% are Subaru parts and the other 10% were ones not covered (shocks, tires, battery, etc) They tried to line me up for a warranty denial but didn't realize that I have a direct line to CFO.... It didn't end well for them after trying to deny the claim and actually out and out lied on the writeup.
-mike
Purchased my car over the weekend (2010 Outback Premium with AWP CVT)
The finance department at the dealership was on vacation so they used the outside company which could care less about me. So getting any deal on extended warranty was lost cause.
Today I will contact my own dealer to acquire more info on the warranty, and also few more over the next few days to see what each has to offer. I am just concerned about the new transmission, basically I only care about things power train, and I would like to keep my car for the next 8-10 years moving. So here are few questions.
1. What is the major difference between basic and gold plus warranty? Will basic warranty cover parts that are vital for my car to just move? (do not care about radio or other things that are not vital)
2. Does having less added optional equipment on outback will cost leas for warranty? I have nothing accept all weather package.
3. How much should I pay for 7yr-100K or 7-85K with $50 or $100 deductible?
4. Did any of you ever purchase warranty over the internet. I found Subaru dealer Mastria Subaru Raynham MA selling their warranty on eBay?
5. and final question. Your thoughts on 3rd party warranty.
FWIW, it's an H6, not V6.
You can purchase this from any Subaru dealers, plus you can do it any time before the new car 3yr/30k warranty expires.
The good thing to purchase early is you lock in the price and have the choice of spread out into 10 months credit card payment without any interest.
I think there is a surcharge for those on turbos, so that may be why we see price variance.
Deductable/Plan/ Price
Grand Subaru IL
100 7/70k $1,115
100 7/100k $1,500
The Autobarn Subaru of Countr
100 7/70k $1,230
100 7/100k ????
North Shore Subaru IL
100 7/70k $1,265
100 7/100k $1,750
Bill Jacobs Subaru IL
100 7/70k $820
100 7/100k $1,280
Gary Lang Subaru IL
100 7/70k $1,500
100 7/100k $2,000
Gerald Subaru IL
100 7/70k $1,500
100 7/100k $2,000
100 6/80K $1,500
Subaru of Schaumburg IL
100 7/70k $895
100 7/100k $1,595
100 6/80K $1,195
Funny thing happened. I have ended up purchasing the extended warranty form the dealer that was out of state. Found them on ebay, decided to contact them and they were able to give me the best price
Mastria Subaru
Mastria Parts Online
(888) 848-4309
There is guy called Don he deals with all the online orders.
He gave me the price on 7 year 100 000 miles Gold Plus extended warranty for $1175 ($100 deductable) Also you can do a 10 month plan no interest.
This was a easy process. All over the phone and fax. I am waiting for my papers from Subaru.
When you all mention 7/100K, can I assume that is that on top of the standard 3/36K warranty? Otherwise you would have to amortize the $ cost over only 4 years and 64K?
Thanks again!
Jamie
A mature company like Fuji industries and Subaru USA has pretty darn good engineers and most importantly high quality suppliers folks. If this were a grade of car that was "bottom tier" of the manufacturers, I'd buy the warranty, but Subie and the Outback are NOT.
Every company builds different "grades" of car. The Outback is Subie's top of the line, bread and butter vehicle. They put good "grade" equipment into it.
The vast majority of electronics and mechanical items typically fail either early on due to "infant mortality" or at "end of life". Just a basic rule of manufacturing... I'm more worried with "infant mortality" and most issues on cars I've had in the past were showing symptoms well before the manufacturer 3yr/36K expired. We had a 2000 Honda mini-van for example where the tranny started to have issues early on. Honda replaced it free at 70K miles because we had noted it was showing symptoms at the 3 year service and I called Honda USA with records in hand to prove it (and they had one of the "quiet recalls" Honda is famous for with multiple TSBs about the tranny to boot). My point is that there's a good chance any broad-based issue with the product will be covered later on by a good manufacturer (just be sure to not take the dealer's first answer as the last one!)
Yes, folks are wondering whether the new CVT will last on these cars. This is a proven technology in the auto industry though and I am betting my money Subie's trannys will last at least 100K miles folks.
Will you really keep the car 3 full years PLUS another 35-40K miles when the real end of life issues start that the extended warranty covers? Folks who buy cars at the $30K price point tend to trade every 4 or 5 years... Is it worth $1000-$1500 for 1 or 2 years of insurance? My home owners insurance costs less for perspective!
Anyone leasing the car especially should NOT buy one of these warranties of course. (Don't think this happens often, but beware of dealers who might try it is all)
Can you put $1000 to work in a income-oriented mutual fund or other investment that earns 8% in CASH dividends annually? If so, you'll double this money every 8 years or so that can be used as your own warranty coverage for the vehicle or it's money in your pocket if you're just "average" in your experience with a Subie. Just pointing out that "self-insuring" yourself has it's benefits.
Hope this helps!
It's more about piece of mind. You just don't worry about it.
Plus prices keep creeping up. In the DC area the hourly rate for a mechanic is up to $95! :surprise:
If Subaru did what Nissan did with Murano (extended power train to 10 years and 100 K on CVT models) I would not even bother with the extended warranty. But since this is new to USA I would like to have this security blanket.
Best of all if anything changes you can always cancel this plan and get your money back as long as it is before your 3 year 36k miles.
I bought extended warranty 7year 100K for $1200. I will see how everything performs over the next 3 years and see I I will keep the warranty or not. If I start seeing a lot of posts on forums about problems with Outback I will keep it, if not I will then think about keeping warranty.