FOLDING KNIVES

Would it be a good idea to purchase extended warranty on a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with 84,000 miles on it?

2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer?
Used 2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, w/ 84,000 miles,
Engine: 4.6L 8 cyl Fl
Cylinders: 8
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Wheels: 4WD

It depends on many, MANY factors like the type of warranty and the coverage provided (power train only or bumper-to-bumper), the reputability of the guarantor, the likelihood of repair, your personal finances, the deductible, and cost.

Whenever possible, you should ALWAYS try to buy a manufacturer’s extended warranty. When that’s not possible and you’re depending upon a third party located in another state to honor their part of the bargain at a time when you need it most, it’s VERY easy for things to go wrong. Aftermarket warranty companies are notorious for very restrictive fine print and using every excuse under the sun to deny paying a claim, even on a bumper-to-bumper warranty while often restricting you to certain facilities. (And that’s if they haven’t packed up in the middle of the night and run off).

First, realize that warranties can be one of a dealer’s most profitable items; and unless the dealer has some kind of special leverage that would help compel a warranty provider to honor their contract with you there’s often very little advantage to buying the warranty through the dealership itself beyond being able to finance the cost of the warranty with the vehicle. If you MUST buy an extended warranty, consider that you may be able to obtain far better pricing yourself. In the end, you may very well be better-served by simply setting aside a contingency fund. Because of the even-greater profit potential, a dealer may be more eager to steer you toward an aftermarket warranty than a manufacturer’s. I wouldn’t recommend letting them. At the end of the day, most aftermarket warranties wind-up being more like insurance policies than guarantees. And just like insurance policies, it’s all about the loopholes that can be used to deny you payment. You just don’t have to worry about a business like Ford trying to make their money in such a shady manner. The will administer and enforce the warranty according to its terms, but you can have absolute confidence that a covered part will indeed be repaired at the Ford dealer of your choice by technicians who were trained by Ford to fix them.

Fortunately, Ford does offer a Genuine Ford ESP (Extended Service Plan).for the 2003 Explorer with 84,000 miles. You can purchase up to 48 months of coverage with a $50, $100, or $200 deductible. And depending upon the length of warranty, you can choose from basic PowertainCare all the way up to PremiumCare (which is essentially bumper-to-bumper) coverage. When determining which is best for you, you should keep in mind the parts that are likely to be the most prone to failure and expensive to replace. These include the powertrain, air conditioning, steering, suspension, braking, and electrical systems. Also, because you can expect repairs to become more frequent over time, you’re likely to find that the lowest deductible can really save you a lot of money and can pay for themselves in even one or two additional visits. You can use your Ford ESP at ANY Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership.

The dealer’s F&I (finance and insurance) representative will quote you a price, but I would recommend knowing a baseline price before going in. Because you can buy a Ford warranty from ANY Ford dealer, many have taken to selling them online and offer instant pricing based upon vehicle and coverage information you provide. The best, and most competitive I’ve found is http://www.fordwarrantys.com. Not only can you obtain pricing information and coverage details, but you can also call them directly (they’re a Connecticut Ford dealer) and speak with them directly to ask any questions you may have. When submitting your online quote, be sure to click on the Promotions button. They often provide customers with as much an additional $180 discount.

You can then take this price to your local dealer on a “meet it or beat it” basis, knowing you can always buy it online. You should probably seek another $100-$200 off to make the dealer negotiate back up to the price you’re really willing to pay. Just to give you an idea, you can buy a 12-month PremiumCare warranty (their best) that will cover you up to 96,000 miles with a $50 deductible for $1,820 (before any promotional discounts). You can buy a BaseCare Warranty (powertrain, suspension, electrical, steering, brakes, axles, etc) for 48 months up to 132,000 miles with a $50 deductible for about $2,100 (before any additional promotional discounts).

Even if you discover a Ford ESP Warranty is considerably more expensive than an aftermarket warranty, you should remember that saving 50% on your warranty is pretty meaningless if they end-up denying your claims. In this case, you are very much likely to “get what you pay for”. Plus, with Ford ESP’s, they are fully transferrable, provide you with towing and rental coverage (be SURE to choose the “first day rental” option that won’t require you leaving your car overnight before becoming eligible for a rental) you can always cancel any unused portion at any time and receive a prorated refund.

At the end of the of the day ANY warranty is nothing more than a bet, and the odds are always in the house’s favor. But given the potential cost of a major repair and the ability a Genuine Ford extended warranty could give you to drive the vehicle for many more years, the amount of protection it provides you has every likelihood of being well worth the purchase (especially if you can finance it with the vehicle purchase).

Best of luck. I hope this helps.

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