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I didn't buy the extended warranty and am not very happy with the short 2 year bumper to bumper on the car. That said I *am* happy with the car and it simply offers things no other car does. The question remains if the additional cost to add two years of standard warranty would actually be realized with repair costs during that time though- in the end it may or may not be a wash, its just too hard to call because every car is different, some have more or less issues, so I don't think there will be an answer that fits every circumstance.
Also, lets not forget that just because a car has a long warranty it does not mean that everything is truly covered, at some point dealers consider many things as wear and tear or look to blame the car's treatment as contributing factors and such, and the repair ends up being something you have to pay for (or they just tell you that is a 'normal' behavior/sound/etc...). In some ways the warranty is about perception vs what is really paid for by the manufacturer.
Fwiw, here is a little article re extended warranties I just happened on:
It makes perfect sense if total cost of repair during ownership is your primary decision factor.
MB is good, but French is not known for making reliable cars. I can share your skepticism for owning a French made car with only two years of warranty. Although I may overlook it if it is a Honda or a Toyota.
I seen quite a few report of various shifter problems, and even more check engine light reports. Until they get sorted out, they are areas of concern for me. Who knows how much the dealer for charge for fixing these issues after 2 years. I think I will likely go with a 18-24 month lease and get rid of it before the warranty expires.
cancled my reservation... the warranty is one of the most important things for me, and the smarts doesnt compare to a lot of other vehicles out there. sure the smart looks great, but it wont suit my needs any better than some vehicles out there with even better warranties and maintenance records. if a car is under warranty, especially if its one you paid extra for, ill be damned if i am paying any 'deductibles' for something that may not even be wrong.
I have to say
THANK YOU!!!!
For those who want the smart, wait and get it ... I'm happy.
For those who realize it's not a car for them and cancel, I'm happy.
For those that play games, configure, wait 30 days then cancel ... ticks me off.
Thank you for being honest and truthful. I'm glad you didn't clog up the system for those of us who still want to actually configure and get a vehicle.
I remember when every car only came with a 12 month/12 thousand mile warranty ,and nobody complained,not much we could do about it,what I heard from the business manager is ,its a 100.00 every time you take the car in after the 1st 24 months if you bought the extended warranty ,he told me its still 100.00 if you have 1 thing wrong or 20 things wrong
Sorry you feel that way, ... Though each buyer comes with his own set of needs and requirements, the smart is the rare vehicle that delivers the unexpected to most owners. Wish you could have experienced that before you decided, but ... I guess that's tough to do. Good luck to you on finding a better vehicle to suit your needs. Wish you could have stuck with the smart.
Ron Gaus, asmartcar.com
Ron,
(I edited and added emphasis to Ron's original message to highlight my concerns. Hopefully without changing the meaning of his response too much.)
I have to say that this is a sticking point for me as well. I am not planning to drop my reservation, but feel that a 24 month warranty tells of faith PAG has in the car, and it would seem to say, "Not much."
While the 450 might have stood up to hard driving in Europe, my understanding is the 451 has a Mitsubishi engine rather than an Mercedes engine, plus it's a revised model so that adds "bug" concerns. Add the concerns about increased production rates/associated problems and the concern grows.
We have hotter driving conditions, and though Germany has the autobans, most drivers on our freeways (at least in CA) seem to drive at/over what I experienced while on the autobans.
Some of the Toyota dealers sell their warranties to chat board members on line at a significant discount. With the concerns that several have voiced, there is a market on this board. I paid $965 for 100K of coverage on my Camry Hybrid and think it is a good value at that price. smart wants that much for 60K coverage - PLUS the $100 per use and it has to be purchased before 1200 miles on the car?!
I suggest there is a lot of enthusiasm for the smart in the US, but short sighted warranty coverage could cause many would-be buyers to spend their money on similar cars with better coverage and many years of favorable reputation in our market. We aren't talking Mazeratti buyers here!
There are 10 years/100,000 miles factory warranties out there. They are necessary to sell the cars which usually not have the greatest repair records, slow moving sales prompt the manufactorers to add incentives for consumers to buy their porducts. Honda only offer a 3 year/36,000 miles standard warranty, and it usually never requires any warranty work done. If you have issues with a not well made car, usually they should surface within the first 12 months. I had a 92' Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback. it ran forever until I gave it to my daughter in 99" by when I put in 175,000 miles and she kept it for 2 more year and another 20,000.00 before I donated to a charity still in good running condition. There is no secret about it, good maintenance will eliminate most of your problem. Nothing better than oil change every 3-4,000 miles. rotating tires regularly, check all fluid level often, avoid port holes and don't race with the Ferrari because you car ain't built for it.
I just got back from a trip in the city and just want to say that I LOVE this car - it really is like nothing else.
On top of what I already stated above I can only say that you can let yourself be guided by fear of what *could* maybe happen post warranty and what it might or might not cost and thus miss out on the experience, or you can live in the here and now and enjoy the heck out of it. I'm glad that I made the latter choice, to each their own.
I remember when every car only came with a 12 month/12 thousand mile warranty...
Most motorcycles still do.
Do you want a $13K car with a 24 month warranty or the same car at 16K with a 60 month warranty? Make no mistake, you will pay for the warranty somehow.
Like i said before, this is probably a great car, and a great experience - but ive got too many other financial responsibilities (mortgage, family, etc...) to 'live in the here and now' and toss money and time around getting it fixed or pay for resultless diagnostics. Canceling my reservation was about my needs, and the car didn't fully meet one of the most important ones.
For example, looking at the scion xD, you can get a 6yr/100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty with NO deductible for $1000.
The smart, after tons and tons of research, just isnt the right car for me. I am sure all of you with reservations will be like a 5yr old on christmas morning when the dealer calls to have you come pick up your car. I'd probably feel the same way, and I'd still have my reservation if the warranty had just been a little better.
Ill still be here to read what kind of things develop with the car, which someday may make me rethink it. But hey, who knows, maybe smart will come out with a great warranty in the future... And i'll be right back here with a reservation.
but short sighted warranty coverage could cause many would-be buyers to spend their money on similar cars with better coverage and many years of favorable reputation in our market. We aren't talking Mazeratti buyers here!
Today
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