I'm seriously contemplating on buying into Mazda's Extended warranty. I just missed the <75K 3-year extended because I'm at 78K on a 2004 MT.

However they do offer a 2 year warranty program, but I'll miss the opportunity for any extended warranty for the car after 80K, so I'm getting close.

Here are the details: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...opWarrantyMEPP

All warranties are treated like insurance, so you can pay interest free for 12 monthly payments. Here's the breakdown on coverage:

Power Care: 24 month/ 24K - $1626.00 +tax = $144.99/month
Stated Care: 24 month/ 24K - $2097.00 +tax = $186.98/month
Total Care: 24 month/ 24K - $2380.00 +tax = $212.22/month

Engine is original and would like to keep the car, but not interested in paying for an engine replacement. My 8-Year core warranty ends in July, 2011. Also, my power steering went out temporarily, which scared me, but it seems to be fine now....things to think about...What do you guys think...time is ticking...

Mazda is the cheapest by far.

 

Today I have had my RX8 for seven yrs. It has about 75K miles.
$2000 is half way to a new (Mazda rebuilt) engine.

Your power steering problem is most likely just a dirty connector. The power and control cables are located below the air filter box. If it happens again, just pull them apart and reconnect. Some people recommend dielectric grease.

 

How long do you plan to keep the car? Stated Care seems to be your best bet as it would cover everything except the wheel/tire road hazard. Keep in mind, $2K A/C repairs are not uncommon.

 

I agree stated care is good. But you know that your aluminum wheels will cost$500 -$700 each to replace, and each tire can cost $125-200 depending on the tire, so don't just dismiss the wheel/tire road hazard . Check with your Mazda parts person ,and here on the forum for sources for prices on your wheels and tires, and then figure if you drive where there are road hazards. Replacing one aluminum wheel and tire would make the price of total care worth it.

I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973, and over the nearly forty years have had to replace many a wheel and tire from road and track hazards and incidents. Your car insurance should replace a bent wheel and tire from a road hazard, but would the deductible and/or a possible resulting insurance accident rate increase cost you more in the long run.

 

I plan on keeping the car for another 3-4 years if possible. I understand that nothing may happen within that 2 year coverage, but I figure it's piece of mind if the compression dumps or the transmission goes south...maybe even the Electronic Steering Module ($1,200) or A/C..

A friend of mine had his harness go bad on the Steering module and was re-soldered for $300 at Mazda (new $700). As far as wheels and tires, I have all aftermarket, so that's not an issue.

It would be interesting to know what parts have failed on your cars after 75K...would give me a beacon as to whether I get a warranty or not.

 

It usually depends on the condition of the parts. Preventive maintenance is the key for parts from failing.

 

The cost between those isn't really that great, to be honest if you're going to do it then get the one for $2300. Personally, if I were in your shoes I'd probably just keep the money, but I can't really justify it for any reason other than I wouldn't expect to pay more than $2300 in repairs in the 3-4 years you plan to keep it. On the other hand I also know that short of catastrophic failure I'd do some research and put in the time to fix whatever breaks myself. If you're the kind of person that has no interest in learning how to fix issues or putting the time into it, then you should probably get the warranty.

 

Based on feedback here and current maintenance that's performed now, I will decline the Extended Warranty. Thanks for all your input!