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Gold Plus Extended Warranty -- worth it?

marc42marc42 Member Posts: 3
Will be buying a new 2010 forester limited. Is the Gold Plus warranty worth it (I can get a 7yr/70K with 100 deductible for $875)?

I'm also considering a third-party warranty from WarrantyDirect instead - I read one online review that highly recommends this firm but I'm not certain. Anyone have any direct information?

I'm also not certain if I must purchase the gold plus right when i purchase the vehicle, or whether I can wait 3 years until the factory warranty runs out and then purchase it (or will it be much more expensive then?)

Thanks.
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Comments

  • billwvbillwv Member Posts: 48
    I purchased my 2009 in September, and get the warranty offer mailed to me about every two months. So, I don't think there is a need to hurry.

    Bill
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    True, you can buy it for about the same price until your 3/36 warranty expires.

    I got one for our 2002 and may do that again for our 09.

    You get roadside assistance included, so we no longer have AAA. Plus it made it much easier to sell our 02 - the buyer said the warranty was the reason he chose our used vehicle to buy.
  • bigdadi118bigdadi118 Member Posts: 1,207
    Is there a website to buy this warranty?
    Would it be cheaper to buy it online than at the dealer, like the Honda Care warranty?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    No, I asked and there isn't.

    Any thing you do find on the web would be a specific dealer's site.

    I think Subaru ought to do this, but they probably don't want to step on dealers' toes.

    The funny thing is dealers make a profit on sales of Gold warranties, but Subaru does not. Subaru loses money, but they establish Good Will with customers and earn more loyalty.
  • connieyleeconnieylee Member Posts: 29
    strange, I bought my 2009 in Dec 2009/Jan 2010 and have never received a warranty offer!
  • bigdadi118bigdadi118 Member Posts: 1,207
    Is the Gold Plus warranty worth it (I can get a 7yr/70K with 100 deductible for $875)?

    marc - can you advise the dealer name and location? This Gold Plus price seems CHEAP

    Is there a way to find the cheapest quote online re Subaru Gold Plus extended warranty?
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    > Is there a website to buy this warranty?
    > Would it be cheaper to buy it online than at the dealer...

    There are websites of dealers that offer the warranty, like:
    http://www.subaru.net/sales/contracts.php
    http://www.subaruwrxparts.com
    http://www.stevemoyersubaru.com

    Different dealers both online and local will give you different prices. For the cheapest, you need to check them all, including your own dealer. The warranty is a sales item: the prices vary and are negotiable .
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    > ... Is the Gold Plus warranty worth it (I can get a 7yr/70K with $100 deductible
    > for $875)?

    That is the one I am looking at, and my dealer wanted $1100 for it.
    It might be worth it if you have a moonroof and use it frequently. They often fail after the factory warranty and cost $1200 or so to fix.
  • bigdadi118bigdadi118 Member Posts: 1,207
    The lowest Gold + I can find

    7yr/100,000 - $100 ded is $1,200

    pay in 10 payment by charge to credit card interest free.
  • superoceansuperocean Member Posts: 8
    I found this site when researching the prices of warranties and thought you might like a look see. Your prices seem pretty good compared to this. Where did you get your price?

    http://www.subaru.net/sales/contracts.php
  • superoceansuperocean Member Posts: 8
    .
  • aaykayaaykay Member Posts: 539
    This is for a Tribeca SE 7-passenger that I just bought, from our local dealership. Can be split into 10 equal interest-free installments, as long as it is not on an American Express.
  • bob_b1bob_b1 Member Posts: 29
    Please let me know the dealer name.
    Thanks
  • bigdadi118bigdadi118 Member Posts: 1,207
    I will email you the dealer contact info. You can click my name and have my email addr.
  • wgaydawgayda Member Posts: 1
    could you please post the mane of the dealer that offers the gold 7/70 100 ded. for $875, also the 7/100000 100 ded. for $1200. thanks, wayne g.
  • don7777don7777 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2010
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Thanks for posting your prices straight up like that, very up front and honest. Hope it earns you some business.
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    Extra warranty is a waste of money. Ask any car or money advisor. Also, check with Consumers Report or J.D.Powers to find out more. It's an extra revenue for either Subaru or an independent underwriter.
    My 40-some years experience buing new cars confirms the above.
  • pgb0517pgb0517 Member Posts: 84
    I disagree. If you shop carefully and buy a factory-backed warranty at a great discount, it's not necessarily a waste. I have had factory extended warranties on two minivans and got my money's worth and more. Even though they were good vehicles, I still recovered my warranty cost after deductibles. One of the vans I sold after a couple of years. I had bought it used with almost no miles left on the original warranty, got a good deal on the extended warranty, used it once myself, and then having the extended warranty helped me sell it for a good price. The buyers were friends of mine who used that warranty several times -- once to repair the transmission while they were traveling out of state. On another van, I got a lot of repairs done for the cost of one deductible just as the extended warranty was about to expire at 80K miles. I had a bad experience with a third-party warranty that looked like a solid deal when I bought it, but then that company went out of business, and the warranty went down the drain. So stick with factory warranties. I'm waiting for the right time to buy a warranty for my Forester because we plan to keep it forever.
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    Well, we agree to disagree. I stick with factory warranty but extended warranty, according to many studies out there (including Consumers Union), is a waste of money.
    I stick with what is recommended by studies done on this subject by reputable non-profit organizations.
    In my 40-some years buying new (mostly Japanese) cars I never bought extended warranty and never had any problems.
    Extended warranty (in my opinion) might make sense for US manufactured cars although their quality improved greatly lately.
  • alamocityalamocity Member Posts: 680
    What it all boils down to is whether you can afford to pay out of expense cost for repairs that can easily run from $2000.00, if you can great if not then the extended warranty may be the best choice for those who can't. With all the modern technology used on vehicles repair costs are going to be expensive.
  • robsisrobsis Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2010
    Gotta agree here....the overblown pricing at the dealerships on the day of purchase are ridiculous; however, for a modest sum, like that posted by Mastria Subaru, you can get decent coverage....and with all the electrical gadgets on these new cars, it can save you money, depending on how long you keep your car.

    When we bought our '09 Leggy, the dealer was 'stuck' at $2300 as the cheapest he could go for the extended warranty that Mastria has on their list at 1/3 the cost. That might be a good deal for many. I have always wondered if CU/CR, etc are looking at the list pricing on extended warranties when they argue against them. Over the years, I have bought several warranties on misc items (cars/fridges/washing machines), used some, not others. I think, overall, I'm way ahead, money wise, by utilizing the warranties. You just have to be judicious in your purchase. Not all items need/require an extended warranty. Also, as posted above, I've sold my last two vehicles with mileage left on the extended warranty and it has ALWAYS made a difference in how fast I make the sale and how much I get. Used car buyers love having it as part of the sale. JMHO.
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    "... I'm waiting for the right time to buy a warranty for my Forester because we plan to keep it forever."
    What year and how many miles is your Forester, when will the right time be, and which length warranty do you plan to buy?
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    You can buy the extended warranty anytime before your regular (3 years/36 K) warranty expires. As a matter of fact, Subaru N.A. will probably mail you a notice before regular warranty runs out and offers you the extended warranty plan.

    The genuine Subaru dealers (as of 2 years ago) are no longer allowed to advertise these extended warranty plans's prices so it helps to shop around.
    There is a huge mark-up (minimum 100%) that dealers add to their costs.

    If you buy it now (before your regular warranty expires) you may protect yourself from a price increase that may be in effect in the coming years.
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    edited July 2010
    I don't think I will buy either the regular or gold extended warranty.

    My 2008 LL Bean Forester will have gone only 21, 000 miles in 3 years, garaged all the time and gently driven by a retired senior, with not one thing having gone wrong. In another 3 years the car will only have 42,000 miles. To pay $500 to $1000 to warrant such use seems a waste.

    To make these warrantees worthwhile, you need to give the car hard and varied use, family and off-road stuff that will work everything hard, use all the switches and devices, etc, and with a daily commute that will at least use up the miles that were paid for.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    To make these warrantees worthwhile, you need to give the car hard and varied use, family and off-road type, with a daily commute that will use up the miles.

    So, are you recommending that I consider the extended warranty? :blush:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    Well, I am having second thoughts about this warranty on my 2010 XT.

    My other Subaru Forester (2005) with about 50,000 miles on it (that I gave to my son) has major auto transmission problems. He took it to 3 different authorized Subaru dealers (in California) and all 3 of them gave him 3 different possible causes and estimates, what it would take to fix it (averaging $ 2000 price to fix it).

    Then he took it to our friend who has a transmission repair shop for the last 20 years and we ended up making an all-wheel drive only rear-wheel drive (paid him $ 700 for a 2 week diagnostic work).

    He took the transmission apart, replaced some gears and solenoids and still could not get it working. So he simply made my son't Forester a 2 wheel (rear wheel) drive.

    Subaru tech support that he contacted was of little help, replacement parts are not available and they suggested a brand new transmission. Refurbised transmissions are not available on either coast (West or East). Also, apparently there are 2 different auto transmission configurations; one for East and one for West Coast.

    So there you have it. I am seriously thinking of getting an extended warranty for 6 years / 100 k now!
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    "So, are you recommending that I consider the extended warranty?"

    I don't know enough about you to recommend either way.
    On one hand, if you will only put a few thousand gentle miles on the car during the term of the warranty, the premium cannot be worthwhile.
    On the other hand, if you can give the car hard use for all the miles in the contract, there is a better chance the premium will be worthwhile.
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    I don't think there is any difference between "gentle" driving and "hard driving".
    The difference would be if you do most of your driving in the city or highway and in what climate do you live in.

    If you do mostly highway driving in mild climates then it's not worth it, in my opinion.

    If you plan to keep the car "forever" and/or if you drive in either extreme hot or extreme cold climates, I would get it.

    Remember my earlier post, generally speaking it's not worth it (according to leading consumer research companies) but anyway you toss it, it's an "insurance".

    Same thing with healthcare insurance. Do you expect to get sick?

    In my own scenario (and my recent experience) since I plan to keep the car "forever" - I am getting it (6 years 100 K Gold Plan). Subaru USA has a 10 months installment plan so it's not such a shock on your budget.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    I was joking and would not expect you to give an actual recommendation - I simply thought it apt that you made that comment shortly after I returned from a trip of "hard use." I am actually undecided at this point, but will likely not get the warranty based on previous Subaru experiences.

    We have about 15,500 on the car now after ten months of ownership, but typical annual totals are about 15,000.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    edited July 2010
    "... I don't think there is any difference between "gentle" driving and "hard driving". "

    I am sorry if I was misunderstood. I was not talking about gentle driving, I was talking about gentle use.

    I am old, retired, and the only driver and occupant of the car. When not being driven, it spends its life in the garage out of sun and weather. It does not commute. It does not carry kids or pets or cargo. It does not go in snow or off pavement. It only goes 7,000 miles per year. I don't yank the windows to open or close the doors, or run the sunroof every day. Many of the controls are rarely used. The leather is still smelling new, the underside is clean, and the car will have the same newness when it is 6 years old with only 42,000 miles. It is not worth buying an extended warranty.

    On the other hand, some cars are left out in the weather, commuted long distances every day, often driven by several drivers, perhaps by aggressive young drivers, and may carry kids, pets, cargo, and perhaps be used in snow, gravel roads, or off road. These cars are going to accumulate the miles and use and wear that make an extended warranty worthwhile.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Agree that it really boils down to price for that warranty. $2300 is too much, IMHO, that pays for a major repair and two of them are very unlikely and you may not want to keep the car anyway.

    We drive few miles (3 cars, only 2 drivers) so for us a 7/70 warranty would be less than a grand, and you get roadside assistance for the 4 years beyond the OEM warranty.
  • robsisrobsis Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2010
    Just bought the 6/60 for our '09 Leggy (we drive 7500 a year or so). Great price (695) and Don at Mastria was great. Easy to deal with and fast service. Recommended!

    Thanx, Don!
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    As stated earlier on these pages, these warranties have a huge mark-up and dealers are not allowed to advertise them.

    You don't have to buy this warranty from the dealer that sold you the car.
    Don Mastria Subaru can get you the same warranty for close to half the price, depending on length of coverage and deductible chosen.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Absolutely, there are huge margins, look at robsis' price for instance.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    Was yours the classic or gold warranty?
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited July 2010
    Got one for my 2010 XT from Mastria as well (Gold 6 years 100 K) - whole transaction went through smoothly. Received Subaru USA confirmation and all is well.
  • robsisrobsis Member Posts: 162
    The Gold. :)
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    I am about to help my father in law buy a new new or used Subaru. If used it will be a 2007 or later with less than 36k miles.

    1) If used but less than 3 years / 36K is the the eligible for the the new car extended warranty?

    2) I assume Subaru is like Toyota and offers something like a Genuine Subaru plan that is essentially bumper to bumper with a zero deductible. Can you tell me what denominations they come in. Ex: I bought a similar Toyota warranty for my Camry and it a 7/75 warranty. What would best fit Pop would be a 7/75 as well. To be honest they will put less than 5K a year on the car. HE WILL WANT A WARRANTY..no need to debate the fact that he likely would not need one!

    3) What is a good price for this warranty. Its common place for them to offer the Toyota warranty for $1200 at the time of purchase. I then by it online from another dealer for $630...or the dealer I am buying the car from matches the price. I have done this after the fact on my last two Toyotas.

    4) Are their known dealers out there who will just sell the warranty at a reasonable price? Ie, they know I made my purchase somewhere but just sell me the extended warranty. Please let me know who. If you need a Toyota contact, I can give you one...blashemy --- I know!

    To be honest, I buy cars via email...hate to negotiate...that will not work in this case and is complicated more if he buys used. I feel I can determine a fair price for his purchase using Edmunds and other resourses but the warranty is always a bit trickier.

    THANKS!!!!!
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    If you buy one with less than 3 years and less than 36 K miles you can buy Subaru Extended Warranty from any Subaru Dealer. A good price (in my opinion) would be $ 1000 to 1200 (non-turbo models) . You will get the policy from Subaru North America, once fully paid (they also have 10 months installment plan).

    Make sure you verify those miles if you buy the car from a private party.
    You can do that by going to CarFax or any authorized Subaru Dealer and give them the VIN number.

    The rest someone else can answer.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    edited August 2010
    Agreed. You can get the Gold warranty at 7/70, and you can opt for $0, $50, or $100 deductible. If you opt for the $0, 7/70, it should be in the range jogousa suggested.

    Just make sure that your car was brought into service under 36 months ago! A 2007 or 2008 model could likely have an in-service date of more than 36 months.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    WOW, thats a lot of $$$ for a car already with 3/36 and 5/50 on engine and tranny. It makes me wonder if he should be looking at another brand. Like I said, we paid $700 for a 7/100K zero deductible on out new RAV and $630 for my Camry (7/75). And they only came with 3/36 so far as I know.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,756
    It is much higher than you paid on the Toyota, but remember that this is a MUCH smaller company! Toyota has the volume to spread the cost of warranty claims over a much larger base, whereas Subaru does not. That is not to say that the likelihood of failure is higher with a given car from either manufacturer.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Ahhh...not so sure about that logic...they also sell a lot less cars. Also, I thought Toyota now owned a stake in Subaru....
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Warranty pricing is a funny thing, though. It's about customers' perception of how reliable a brand is.

    I've priced warranties and indeed Toyota's are DIRT CHEAP. I can cover the Sienna for 7/100 for around $700. For our Subie it's a bit more, but still under a grand.

    Go price, say, a Range Rover 7/100 warranty. Try not to pass out.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Also, Toyota will have economies of scale. There's a certain cost with operating a warranty program, and indeed they can spread it over more cars.

    While they cooperate on some things, I'm pretty sure the warranty depts are completely seperate.

    To be honest, until the Toyobaru sports coupe arrives, there hasn't really been much sharing at all.
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    edited August 2010
    "... I thought Toyota now owned a stake in Subaru....

    Subaru is so successful that other companies have bought a "stake" in it. But no company has bought the 51% required to control it.
    GM bought 20% of Subaru in 2005 but sold it all in 2008 to Toyota.
    Toyota's purchase in 2008 gave it less than 17% of what Subaru had become.
    Toyota has no ability, or desire, to screw up its wise investment in Subaru by diluting that brand or its unique engineering.
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    edited August 2010
    Most car manufacturers have "stakes" in other brands for many years to cut production and development costs of their future models.

    Being involved with SAAB R&D in Trolhattan for many years I know that GM bought "stake" in Subaru in order to have access to Subaru's "platform" that takes years to develop. Subsequently, SAAB has been building certain models on Subaru platforms.

    When GM saw the end of the tunnel (with SAAB) they unloaded the "stake" to Toyota.

    All that makes sense and is not surprising and quite common in the automotive industry.
  • aathertonaatherton Member Posts: 617
    "... GM bought "stake" in Subaru in order to have access to Subaru's "platform" that takes years to develop. Subsequently, SAAB has been building certain models on Subaru platforms. "

    The Saabaru, which was only made for 2 years...

    "The Saab 9-2X is an automobile that was sold by Saab in the mid-2000s, but built in Japan at the Ota-Gunma plant by Fuji Heavy Industries and based on the Subaru Impreza with a modified body, suspension, and interior. Because of this, the 9-2X earned the nickname "Saabaru"... Starting in July 2004, for the 2005 model year...... The dissolution of the GM/Subaru relationship in 2005 spelled the end of this model. Production ended with the 2006 model year, and there was no return of the 9-2X for 2007."
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_9-2X
  • jogousajogousa Member Posts: 402
    Oh well... what a sad story - but Saab is still kicking ... people in Trollhattan still have jobs - thanks to the Dutch!
    Currently weeding out US distribution dealers....
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