Honda Car Forum

I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts, but it was covered
under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty. The warranty will expire soon,
so I got a letter to extend the warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper,
for $250 down payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of $2650.
The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated refund, or
transfer the warranty and payments.
Should I get the warranty, or should I risk it and save $2650?

In article <2pbopaFjd3l4U1@uni-berlin.de>, Arctic Inferno
<SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote:

> I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
> About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts, but it was covered
> under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty. The warranty will expire soon,
> so I got a letter to extend the warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper,
> for $250 down payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of $2650.
> The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
> If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated refund, or
> transfer the warranty and payments.
> Should I get the warranty, or should I risk it and save $2650?
>
>
The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles or the
next two years. The per year expected costs for maintainance for years
4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much smaller outlay of funds. I'd
pass this up.

--
Harvey J. Cohen, Ph. D.
-------

Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as
you please. -- Mark Twain
------------------------------------------------------------------

> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
> > $2650.
> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
> > save $2650?
> >
> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
> maintainance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.

I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 20:06:54 GMT, "Arctic Inferno"
<SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote:

>> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
>> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
>> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
>> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
>> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
>> > $2650.
>> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
>> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
>> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
>> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
>> > save $2650?
>> >
>> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
>> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
>> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
>> maintainance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
>> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.
>
>I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
>additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
>warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
>the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
>reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
>the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.

Harvey's approach is the right one, though, to figure out if it is
worth it. Estimate the likely maintenance costs for the years in
question, LESS those that are not covered by the extended warranty...
compare to the cost of the extended warranty.

It may be called a warranty, but it is more like a flat rate payment
plan for maintenance.

Pretty well all extended warranties, whether for cars, TVs or cameras,
are major ripoffs. That's why they push them so hard. Gravy for them!

Total maintenance costs for years 4, 5 and 6 for my 1998 Civic EX were
zero.

H.

> >> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
> >> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
> >> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
> >> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
> >> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
> >> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
> >> > $2650.
> >> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
> >> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
> >> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
> >> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
> >> > save $2650?
> >> >
> >> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
> >> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
> >> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
> >> maintenance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
> >> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.
> >
> >I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
> >additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
> >warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
> >the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
> >reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
> >the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.
>
> Harvey's approach is the right one, though, to figure out if it is
> worth it. Estimate the likely maintenance costs for the years in
> question, LESS those that are not covered by the extended
> warranty... compare to the cost of the extended warranty.
> It may be called a warranty, but it is more like a flat rate
> payment plan for maintenance.
> Pretty well all extended warranties, whether for cars, TVs or
> cameras, are major ripoffs. That's why they push them so hard.
> Gravy for them! Total maintenance costs for years 4, 5 and 6
> for my 1998 Civic EX were zero.

I understand the concept behind warranty and maintenance costs,
and stuff. My question was regarding my specific case.
Should I or shouldn't I? What is the probability of break-down?
What is the reliability of my car? I don't know what the projected
maintenance cost would be for my situation.
Is the extra coverage and peace of mind worth $2650?
Is the Honda Civic LX so well built that I can comfortably risk it?
If your Honda Civic EX is a predictor of my car's future performance,
then I think I should pass up on the extended warranty offer.
How does Honda Civic LX usually stand up?

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 21:04:12 GMT, "Arctic Inferno"
<SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote:

>> >> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
>> >> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
>> >> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>> >> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
>> >> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
>> >> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
>> >> > $2650.
>> >> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
>> >> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
>> >> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
>> >> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
>> >> > save $2650?
>> >> >
>> >> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
>> >> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
>> >> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
>> >> maintenance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
>> >> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.
>> >
>> >I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
>> >additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
>> >warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
>> >the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
>> >reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
>> >the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.
>>
>> Harvey's approach is the right one, though, to figure out if it is
>> worth it. Estimate the likely maintenance costs for the years in
>> question, LESS those that are not covered by the extended
>> warranty... compare to the cost of the extended warranty.
>> It may be called a warranty, but it is more like a flat rate
>> payment plan for maintenance.
>> Pretty well all extended warranties, whether for cars, TVs or
>> cameras, are major ripoffs. That's why they push them so hard.
>> Gravy for them! Total maintenance costs for years 4, 5 and 6
>> for my 1998 Civic EX were zero.
>
>I understand the concept behind warranty and maintenance costs,
>and stuff. My question was regarding my specific case.
>Should I or shouldn't I? What is the probability of break-down?
>What is the reliability of my car? I don't know what the projected
>maintenance cost would be for my situation.
>Is the extra coverage and peace of mind worth $2650?

Sure, go for it.

>Is the Honda Civic LX so well built that I can comfortably risk it?
>If your Honda Civic EX is a predictor of my car's future performance,
>then I think I should pass up on the extended warranty offer.
>How does Honda Civic LX usually stand up?
>

In article <gr6Yc.2452$JT3.534@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.n et>, "Arctic
Inferno" <SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote:

> > >> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
> > >> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
> > >> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
> > >> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
> > >> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
> > >> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
> > >> > $2650.
> > >> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
> > >> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
> > >> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
> > >> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
> > >> > save $2650?
> > >> >
> > >> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
> > >> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
> > >> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
> > >> maintenance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
> > >> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.
> > >
> > >I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
> > >additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
> > >warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
> > >the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
> > >reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
> > >the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.
> >
> > Harvey's approach is the right one, though, to figure out if it is
> > worth it. Estimate the likely maintenance costs for the years in
> > question, LESS those that are not covered by the extended
> > warranty... compare to the cost of the extended warranty.
> > It may be called a warranty, but it is more like a flat rate
> > payment plan for maintenance.
> > Pretty well all extended warranties, whether for cars, TVs or
> > cameras, are major ripoffs. That's why they push them so hard.
> > Gravy for them! Total maintenance costs for years 4, 5 and 6
> > for my 1998 Civic EX were zero.
>
> I understand the concept behind warranty and maintenance costs,
> and stuff. My question was regarding my specific case.
> Should I or shouldn't I? What is the probability of break-down?
> What is the reliability of my car? I don't know what the projected
> maintenance cost would be for my situation.
> Is the extra coverage and peace of mind worth $2650?
> Is the Honda Civic LX so well built that I can comfortably risk it?
> If your Honda Civic EX is a predictor of my car's future performance,
> then I think I should pass up on the extended warranty offer.
> How does Honda Civic LX usually stand up?

In general, it is a bad investment. However, everyone is different. I tend
to worry more than the regular person. It's for that reason that I have an
extended warranty. When the engine light comes on, I don't have to worry
about it. If I did NOT have the extended warranty, I would worry a lot
about it until I found out what was wrong with it. The extended warranty
provides you with peace of mind. However, if you are not a person that
worries--save the money and just hope that nothing major--like the engine
and transmission--ever breaks down.

--
NEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO
We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice.
We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people.

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 15:48:44 -0700, Jason@nospam.com (Jason) wrote:

>In article <gr6Yc.2452$JT3.534@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.n et>, "Arctic
>Inferno" <SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote:
>
>> > >> > I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
>> > >> > About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts,
>> > >> > but it was covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty.
>> > >> > The warranty will expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the
>> > >> > warranty. 5 yr/75k mile, bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down
>> > >> > payment and $200 x 12 monthly payments, for total of
>> > >> > $2650.
>> > >> > The payment can be extended over two years without interest.
>> > >> > If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can either get prorated
>> > >> > refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
>> > >> > Should I get the extended warranty, or should I risk it and
>> > >> > save $2650?
>> > >> >
>> > >> The only issue with an extended warranty is the probability of
>> > >> spending the warranty fee ($2650) over the ensuing 39K miles
>> > >> or the next two years. The per year expected costs for
>> > >> maintenance for years 4 and 5 for a 2001 civic suggest a much
>> > >> smaller outlay of funds. I'd pass this up.
>> > >
>> > >I may not have stated the extended warranty clearly. I will get
>> > >additional 5 years and additional 75k miles, after my current
>> > >warranty expires. I will need to look at the maintanence cost for
>> > >the years 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, over the next 75k miles (when the car
>> > >reaches 111k miles). Do you still think that I should pass up on
>> > >the offer? By the way, it's a two-door model, not four-door.
>> >
>> > Harvey's approach is the right one, though, to figure out if it is
>> > worth it. Estimate the likely maintenance costs for the years in
>> > question, LESS those that are not covered by the extended
>> > warranty... compare to the cost of the extended warranty.
>> > It may be called a warranty, but it is more like a flat rate
>> > payment plan for maintenance.
>> > Pretty well all extended warranties, whether for cars, TVs or
>> > cameras, are major ripoffs. That's why they push them so hard.
>> > Gravy for them! Total maintenance costs for years 4, 5 and 6
>> > for my 1998 Civic EX were zero.
>>
>> I understand the concept behind warranty and maintenance costs,
>> and stuff. My question was regarding my specific case.
>> Should I or shouldn't I? What is the probability of break-down?
>> What is the reliability of my car? I don't know what the projected
>> maintenance cost would be for my situation.
>> Is the extra coverage and peace of mind worth $2650?
>> Is the Honda Civic LX so well built that I can comfortably risk it?
>> If your Honda Civic EX is a predictor of my car's future performance,
>> then I think I should pass up on the extended warranty offer.
>> How does Honda Civic LX usually stand up?
>
>In general, it is a bad investment. However, everyone is different. I tend
>to worry more than the regular person. It's for that reason that I have an
>extended warranty. When the engine light comes on, I don't have to worry
>about it. If I did NOT have the extended warranty, I would worry a lot
>about it until I found out what was wrong with it. The extended warranty
>provides you with peace of mind. However, if you are not a person that
>worries--save the money and just hope that nothing major--like the engine
>and transmission--ever breaks down.

This is not an issue about your car breaking down. It will do so or
not regardless of whether you have an extended warranty. This is about
money. Don't worriers worry about money?

H.

"Arctic Inferno" <SpamShield-ArcticInferno@yahoo.com-SpamShield> wrote
in news:2pbopaFjd3l4U1@uni-berlin.de:

> I have a Honda Civic LX 2001 manual transmission.
> About six months ago, I had to replace the front struts, but it was
> covered under the original 3 yr/36k mile warranty. The warranty will
> expire soon, so I got a letter to extend the warranty. 5 yr/75k mile,
> bumper-to-bumper, for $250 down payment and $200 x 12 monthly
> payments, for total of $2650. The payment can be extended over two
> years without interest. If I decide to sell the car in a year, I can
> either get prorated refund, or transfer the warranty and payments.
> Should I get the warranty, or should I risk it and save $2650?
>
>

check out the price at www.curryhondacare.com

Some (all?) extended warrantees will have issues such as the
following:

a) The allowed repair shoppes will be limited in some sort of way -
certified mechanic, just dealers, etc. - so your choice of repair
shoppes are reduced. .

a') are you required to religiously follow maintenance schedules?
Whoops we won't cover you because you waited a bit to long on that one
maintenance. Meanwhile, practitioners in the field may know from
experience that such maintenance can be done less ofter. Is the plain
old factory recommended maintenance sufficient or do you have to do
more?

b) what happens if you move to another state? Usually insurance
companies are licensed in a state ... will the policy be honored in
another state? By whom?

c) oops ... bad accident - car is totalled....now what....$$$$ down
the drain?

d) even though Joe Blows repair shoppe is a qualifying repair shop for
insurance purposes, do you think they want to screw with it? Labor
rate paid by contract will probably be reduced from the normal retail
rate. Once the problem is diagnossed, the shop will need to get
authorization to proceed with the repair. (Meanwhile you call and you
get "sorry, the insurance company hasn't authorized the repair
yet"...time delays). And Joe Blow can repair other peoples car
because yours is sitting on the lift all torn apart.

e) Fraud prevention: The insurance company makes its profits by
controlling expenses. Necessarily, tis means it must guard against
fraudulent claims. Thats gobbs of overhead to audit, verify and
deter. $$$$$$.