To buy or not to buy, extended Warranty???

[ronstaug]

I started a similar thread elsewhere, sorry about that. I have a copy of the extended warranty sent to me. There are no restrictions on miles to pick up your car & take it to nearest Smart dealer for repair. I'm sure you're on you own for getting there to pick it up. Also, no limit on number of times you need them. I think I'm going to the tire/wheel deal, plus 5yr -60K miles. It's only money, right? NO?

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by spdickey

You forgot to mention that it is "sponsored" by smartUSA as the "official" extended service plan. Dealers are also free to pick up any other third party ESP they want to. I would go with the smart branded one.

SmartUSA does not back this contract past selling it to you. You must get permission from the contract writer to cover the cost of having your car repaired. And, remember, "The House Always Wins", or there would be no house. A2Jack

[drow-z-dragon]

O.K., I am now more confused than ever...LOL
I usually am not a huge extended waranty buyer...but with our smart dealer over 4 hours away....Makes me think if it is worth it.
And Smarts being so new to the US, even people who have sprung for the "Extra" waranty have not had to use it yet...I just have no clue as to what to do. Buy or not to buy...that is the question!!
~Sue

[SmartCard]

Sue, don't let the naysayers and the terms "3rd party" and not backed by "smart" confuse you. Think of it as more like health insurance....would you decline having coverage just because of a little paperwork or preapproval? The bottomline is if you can afford it, why not add an extra year or two. I'm rarely use my health insurance, but will all know how a simple doctor's visit can get out of hand. I will in all probability purchase an extra year or two next March when I get my income tax refund.

[rawlus®]

personally, since parts availability is scarce and most types of repairs would need to be done by an authorized smart center, at least for now, i think living 4 hours from the closest smart dealer is a deal-breaker.

this is a very unique car in a brand new market as a brand new model.

i think getting one 4 hours from the dealer is asking for trouble and will result in the inevitable posts about frustration with the dealer and/or smart and/or penske and/or daimler when your vehicle breaks down.

do you have the patience and enthusiasm to deal with an 8-hour round trip ride when the check engine light goes on?

as to the extended service contract, the smart branded one is junk IMHO.

[drow-z-dragon]

I wish I could get a copy of the "Extra Warranty" So I can take a look see. right now, I could just use a drink...LoL
I understand about the "Health Insurance" referance! I was never sick a day...always thought to myself, why am I paying so much for health Insurance???....Then out of the blue, I end up with cancer...I am getting all my money back for paying for health Insurance all these years!! Though I would rather not have cancer for the last 12 years!..Lol
I really don't have the money for the "Extra Warrenty" But I can't afford repairs either!
Sue

[saronian]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

Any one out there who has purchased an extended contract care to share/supply us a copy?

Here are copies of smart extended service documents that were shared earlier.

smart Extended Service Plan Pamphlet

smart Mechanical Repair Service Contract

[angel]

drow-z-dragon: Of course the decision to purchase or not is a personal one. At least you do have the choice to not purchase it at the time of the vehicle purchase. That can give you a year or so to see how things go and make up your mind. Of course if you get it at the time of purchase you can roll it into your monthly payments. The extended warranty barely made a dent in my monthly amount. For me? It was worth the piece of mind. I might never need it and in that case it may seem a waste to have paid for it. But if I do ... I'll be darn thankful I decided to get it. You can always have them price your payments with and without the warranty to help make up your mind.

Best of luck!!

[anthony94114]

At your distance, it sounds prudent. That's a LONG way from a smart dealer. This isn't a normal car. To fix many things, the engine has to be dropped. It has an unusual transmission, limited parts supply.. I think it's almost mandatory. I wish it was just better covered, but lets face it.. it's not.

I only bought one extra year (which the finance guy played dumb about and acted as if it wasn't an option.. to up-sell me a 6 year warranty. Oy!) since I usually switch cars after about 2 years.

[a2jack]

Sue. We said no to the service contract for the following reasons:

1. it was misrepresented as an "extended factory warranty".

2. It has a $$$ deductible for each shop visit.

3.It has many exclusions after the real Smart/MB 24 mo warranty runs out.

3. Our dealer is about 40 miles away and we can't afford the time and hassle, thus plan to train our local car repair guy to do much of the work on the Smart.

In your case I think I would consider a Honda or a Subaru if you must buy a car. Or put up with a lot of hassle working with your faraway dealer and going with the service contract.

BTW, the new Civic is a great looking car. A2Jack