Thanks to all who posted and emailed comments on my previous post! I just wrote a check for an 07 Outback wagon, my first Subie.
Now the dealer is offering an "Added Security" maintenance plan, which covers scheduled maintenance costs. For $990 upfront it is supposed to cover recommended maintenance (parts and labor) until 45k miles (no time limit) at any Subaru dealership.
While most "extras" I have seen before looked like a waste of money, this one seems a pretty good deal. It is also "cancellable for a prorated refund".
Have you seen or used this plan? Any suggestions or comments, good or bad? Any info is appreciated!
Search the archives of this group for "extended warranty" for my posts about it. Subaru at the time I was shopping sold 2 levels of extended warranty -- one that was little more than a power train warranty, and another that was exclusionary ("everything bumper to bumper except this list of stuff") coverage -- gold plus or whatever plan.
Subaru has their MSRP on these warranty plans, and dealers are free to set their own prices. There are some dealers out there that discount a lot, but most use this as a high markup profit center.
I got mine from Curry Subaru of Chicopee Massaschussets, about 1100 miles from where I bought my car.
You have until the expiration of your factory bumper to bumper warranty to make a decision.
Now, that said, your situation is different--it's prepaid factory maintenace, not a warranty. I'd take a look at your factory maintenance schedule and see what's actually involved up to 45000 miles. I don't think it's all that much honestly. The pricey service hits at 60k if I recall correctly.
Wish I had better info for you on this, but be suspicious of anything the dealer is trying to sell you after negotiating the price on your car. It's rarely a good deal, and if these sorts of "at any subaru dealership" things exist, you can bet you're able to negotiate for lower price at other dealers, perhaps even out of state.
Good luck--let us know how it pans out!
Best Regards,
-- Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA
I'd skip this, save $990 towards the timing belt change at 60k and shop around for an extended warranty since your car is built in the US. But, then, I do my oil changes myself and I don't expect any other "maintenance" before 60k save for a coolant change or two which is under $100 anyway. Even if I need brakes before then I think I'm better off paying out of pocket. Yours does not even extend (pun intended) to 60k and the timing belt swap $$$ looming at 60k is the answer why. If you do oil changes at the dealer and the plan includes 8-9 of them then maybe it's a good value to you since dealers charge over $40 for the dyno swap. I guess if boils down to this: do you have a shop that services your cars and does not rip you off too much?
I would skip this for sure. You have a bumper -to-bumper warranty and then a 6 year/60,000 mile power train warranty, so you gain very little. In addition; someone mentioned a timing belt change at 60,000 is incorrect as it is 105,000 miles and a TB change doesn't fall under a warranty as it is a maintenance item. If a timing belt brakes while under warranty then it's covered.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.