Used Car Warranty? Good Deal or Rip Off?
 

I have the option of buying this warranty with my vehicle.

http://www.orias.com/TVP%20brochure.pdf

Page 5 tells whats covered under the deluxe plan. It covers quite a bit but costs $1800 bucks for 3 years.

There's a $100 dollar deductible on any repairs.

I have an 04 which just had the engine replaced. I've never owned an 8 before and I'm wondering how likely it is that i'll need to use this. Or am I being suckered and too worried?


There are also 2 exclusions that i'm wary about.

1. Repair or replacement of any part will not be covered unless an actual breakdown has occured.

2. Any repair or replacement of a part which has not failed but which a repair facility recommends or requires be repaired or replaced will not be covered.

Any insight would be appreciated

1, Of the many engines that have been replaced few have "blown up" to the point of leaving the owner stranded. Poor performance is still a form of performing and can be an excuse not to cover an engine. The car still has a limited engine warranty from Mazda for 8 years / 100,000 miles.

2, See #1

You also might have to have to prove the prior owner maintained the car. If your really set on this get IN WRITING that they will cover a rotary engine and what they require record wise.

My 8 is having a new engine put in right now, so I almost feel like the 'engine' section of the warranty is useless. I wont put on 100,000 miles in 3 years.

I agree with Expo. Get everything in writing if you do go with it. From those to exclusions, I would stay away from it though. It's basically telling you that it will only cover failed parts that leave you stranded, and will not cover any preventative maintenance. Just keep the 1800 socked away just in case you need it and you'll be better off.

^^I agree...most of those warranties are rip offs!!! I'll never buy one again. Anytime I had something go wrong they would tell me, "oh, that's a general maintenance item" and I had to prove it was serviced when it was supposed to. So with a used car...you're kind of screwed. I wouldn't buy it

I had the same thing come up when buying my 8.

The guy tried to tell me "I've never met anyone who could work on a car with a rotary engine because there's so many computers and [nonsense babbling]" -- Went on about how there's some crazy team that Mazda sends out from Japan whenever an RX-8 needs servicing.

It was all I could do to keep from laughing in his face.

Yeah thanks guys, you're just reassuring the gut feeling I had. I think I'll just keep the 1800 in a special car fixing account and see how much of that disappears in 3 years.