[rickaren]

OK I know all the great Consumer advocates have long said that most extended warranties are just insurance policies to cover repair cost should an item break after the manufacturer’s warranty ends or that item is not covered and to save your money! Keep in mind that these same groups have called the Nitro a “Dud” or have voted it worst top ten.

First off how many can save the money needed for major repairs or service on their Nitro, anyway.

I purchased the Maximum Care 100,000 mile, 7 year coverage on my new Nitro directly from Chrysler with no interest monthly payments, at a savings of $100 from a Dealer.

I purchased a Scheduled Maintenance Care Plus 7 year or 100,000 (not available directly from Chrysler) from my Local Dealer (not selling Dealer) with no interest monthly payments, too. This plan many not be available directly since it was subject to Local Sales Tax, in my State. Payments still go to Chrysler.

What did I get for these contracts? Well if it is mechanical it is covered and includes 5,007 components over what is covered under this vehicles Liftime Powertrain and ALL scheduled maintenance at no charge with oil changes every three months.

Their Maintenance Contract is not as good as what I have on my Wife’s Explorer since it does not include wearable items like wiper blades and bulbs, but you are paying in today’s dollars and all parts like air cleaners, fluids, spark plugs, ignition cables are covered.

We have had four vehicles with extended warranty, and kept two over that mileage mainly because of having extended service and parts coverage. I suspect many forget or don’t know to request a pro-rated refund on this coverage if you trade cars or lose one due to an accident. We have had two large refunds.

You can justify these plans with peace of mind or break even or really make money. On one vehicle, Chrysler actually paid out over three times what our Contact cost and furnished a free car to drive each time! Was it a “Lemon”? Guess it was but since it never cost us anything for repairs we did not consider it as one, at that time.

Everyone thinks differently so should you consider a Chrysler (don’t ever go third party as some Dealers will attempt) Extended Service Contract? Go to Official Dodge Site - New Autos, Trucks, Minivans, SUVs, Cars, Wagons and click on Owners, then Service Contracts. Check out the many Plans that are available and if interested contact Chrysler Service Contracts at 1-800-442-2666. They were very helpful and will give you a quote.

Good Luck!

PS I plan to keep my Nitro a long time and may be my last new SUV.

 

[fcsallan]

Nice write up Rick, Thank you.

I have not purchased an extended on my Nitro yet but I have been looking. I was told by a friend that they will be / are offering a lifetime bumper to bumper to go with the power train. Of course given the current state of Chrysler, who knows what lifetime means.

Thanks for the link, I will use it for the rest of my research.

 

[MCNABB]

OK I know all the great Consumer advocates have long said that most extended warranties are just insurance policies to cover repair cost should an item break after the manufacturer’s warranty ends or that item is not covered and to save your money! Keep in mind that these same groups have called the Nitro a “Dud” or have voted it worst top ten.

First off how many can save the money needed for major repairs or service on their Nitro, anyway.

I purchased the Maximum Care 100,000 mile, 7 year coverage on my new Nitro directly from Chrysler with no interest monthly payments, at a savings of $100 from a Dealer.

I purchased a Scheduled Maintenance Care Plus 7 year or 100,000 (not available directly from Chrysler) from my Local Dealer (not selling Dealer) with no interest monthly payments, too. This plan many not be available directly since it was subject to Local Sales Tax, in my State. Payments still go to Chrysler.

What did I get for these contracts? Well if it is mechanical it is covered and includes 5,007 components over what is covered under this vehicles Liftime Powertrain and ALL scheduled maintenance at no charge with oil changes every three months.

Their Maintenance Contract is not as good as what I have on my Wife’s Explorer since it does not include wearable items like wiper blades and bulbs, but you are paying in today’s dollars and all parts like air cleaners, fluids, spark plugs, ignition cables are covered.

We have had four vehicles with extended warranty, and kept two over that mileage mainly because of having extended service and parts coverage. I suspect many forget or don’t know to request a pro-rated refund on this coverage if you trade cars or lose one due to an accident. We have had two large refunds.

You can justify these plans with peace of mind or break even or really make money. On one vehicle, Chrysler actually paid out over three times what our Contact cost and furnished a free car to drive each time! Was it a “Lemon”? Guess it was but since it never cost us anything for repairs we did not consider it as one, at that time.

Everyone thinks differently so should you consider a Chrysler (don’t ever go third party as some Dealers will attempt) Extended Service Contract? Go to Official Dodge Site - New Autos, Trucks, Minivans, SUVs, Cars, Wagons and click on Owners, then Service Contracts. Check out the many Plans that are available and if interested contact Chrysler Service Contracts at 1-800-442-2666. They were very helpful and will give you a quote.

Good Luck!

PS I plan to keep my Nitro a long time and may be my last new SUV.

a friendly question for anyone......am i the only one who has an issue with daimler/chrysler as for when they may have to use the nada guide to tell me the retail value of my vehicle towards the cost of repairs to my nitro at that specific time? if something happens in the next 2-5 years and the limited lifetime powertrain warranty kicks in, then there may not be an issue as long as my nitro is up to date on maintenance work, has not been wrecked and is otherwise in good mechanical and physical condition minus the repair problem.

but, say 6-10 years from now when i have maybe 200,000 miles on my nitro and there are some normal scratches and scuffs and a little paint fading because of the age and a repair is needed......then daimler/chrysler says that at a specific time of their interest, they will use the nada guide to give me the retail price of my nitro and then estimate the repairs that are needed then i will have to make up the difference out of my pocket if there is one. then if this happens, they are saying that the limited lifetime powertrain warranty will be terminated.

i've been to the dealer, roundtree dodge in lake charles, louisiana, many times asking about this nada and termination issue and they always tell me the same, it's for real. i asked them if this limited lifetime powertrain warranty is the same for all who either purchased it or received it with their nitro and the answer was "yes".

i have not heard of anyone else complain about these issues. if anyone has any useful information to tell me about this, i will appreciate it alot. just wondering why no one else has mentioned this.

i welcome any response and i promise that this will not be a repeat of the last question about this that i previously asked. thankyou my friends.

mcnabb in louisiana..................

 

[rickaren]

Having worked in the past as a Chrysler Parts Manager, another point I would like to make is a vehicle that is covered by a Factory Extended Warranty may receive more service from your Dealer. It is not widely know but your Service Department receives more profit from warranty work than from customer pay, with a lot less hassle. You are not going to get a call from your Service Writer asking approval for something else that was found in need of repair or replacement!

This is true not only with Chrysler. Many times other issues or parts will be replaced that you have not requested since they are a non-cost item to the customer, but profit for the Dealership to keep your vehicle in 100% working order. They inspect a little more if warranty work is involved, I have found. Same has taken place for my Wife's Ford Explorer, too.

Just another reason I have to purchase extra cost Extended Warranties on our vehicles.

 

[rickaren]

Auto Operating Costs Hit New Record

Some '08 models will cost more than $1 a mile.

The cost of owning and operating the typical new car or light truck is pushing into record territory, according to a new study by the consulting firm, Runzheimer International. Since the average American motorist will clock 15,000 miles or more, each year, expect to pay $1 or more a mile, for some models - or enough to buy another mid-size sedan, once you add everything up.

More @ this Link:
Auto Operating Costs Hit New Record - The Car Connection

 

[rickaren]

The Service Contract Industry Council, a trade group for providers of extended warranties, said it also sees evidence people are keeping their vehicles longer. Despite the 3 percent drop in sales last year, there was a 3 percent to 7 percent increase in the number of auto service contracts sold as buyers sought more coverage than the traditional three-year manufacturer warranty, according to Tim Meenan, the executive director of the council.

The group expects 5 million people to purchase auto service contracts this year. The contracts often cover components that manufacturer warranties don't, such as electronics, air conditioning or a rental car during repairs, and may cover vehicles for up to seven years

Article Link:
People keep cars, trucks longer

 

[rickaren]

Generous service plans and warranties can keep you covered on the road ahead.

However, this year, there is one great exception. To emphasize the quality and reliability of its vehicles, Chrysler has set the industry on its head with a history-making powertrain warranty that covers the life of the vehicle. It applies to most Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles purchased as far back as July 26, 2007, and it covers the engine, transmission and drive system.

No other auto manufacturer has so far matched the program. Hyundai and Kia come close with their 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac and Saturn cover their powertrains on cars and light-duty trucks with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty

LINK:Road Map - Entrepreneur.com

 

[rickaren]

Extended Service Contracts: Do You Need One, and Why?





By AutoGuide.com Staff Dec 27, 2019




Buying a new car is a big decision, and protecting it from any unforeseen repairs or maintenance items along the way often takes a backseat to far more enjoyable thoughts – like what options should you add on, and how soon you can get behind the wheel.



New car warranties are certainly a great way to get peace of mind on what is likely one of the most significant investments you’ll make in any given calendar year, but they often run out before your payments on the new car do. That’s where the folks at Chrysler Warranty Direct come in: they get that buying a car is a major investment, which is why they offer owners of recently-purchased new Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler vehicles factory-backed extended coverage plans.

Given the increasingly complex computer systems going into new cars, you’re no longer guaranteed a simple fix when something goes wrong, and standard dealer warranties may leave you paying out of pocket. Chrysler Warranty Direct offers customers three tiers of coverage depending on the extent of protection you’re looking for: Powertrain Plus, Added Care Plus, and Maximum Care.



Even at the lowest-cost plan – Powertain Plus – will still give you coverage for over 350 different components, while the Maximum Care plan offers protection for over 5,000 parts on your new or recently-new Dodge, Ram, Jeep, or Chrysler. As long as your vehicle is less than three years old and under 36,000 miles, you can add an extended protection plan from Chrysler Warranty Direct – one that’s fully manufacturer-backed by Chrysler Group. Their Mopar Vehicle Protection Plans are honored at all Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or FIAT dealerships throughout North America.

But not to worry if you’ve already put some serious miles on that trusty Jeep of yours. Maybe your Ram truck is growing long in the tooth, pushing past four or five years old. Chrysler Warranty Direct also offers plans for pre-owned as well. All you have to do is check their website for a free quote, with absolutely no obligation on your part. Pre-Owned plans can help extend the life of your car by covering many of the components from bumper to bumper, and Chrysler Warranty Direct has some of the lowest pricing compared to other pre-owned protection plans.


By VGstockstudio / Shutterstock.com

Speaking of savings: there’s no time like the present to get in on great pricing. On top of offering free quotes for their current warranty plans, Chrysler Warranty Direct is currently running a special 2019 holiday deal that will net you an extra $50 off any plan.

So whether you’re one of the lucky ones getting a brand-new car for the holidays – just like in all the car commericals – or you’ve just got a recent purchase of your own sitting in the driveway, you should consider starting the new year off with extra protection and peace of mind. Even if you’re not sure about what you can afford, Chrysler Warranty Direct has you covered there too. Depending on your plan and the quote, they offer up to 0% financing on 18 months of payments.

Whether you got a new Chrysler for the holidays, or recently picked up a Jeep Wrangler for some summer cruising, or any other Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, or Dodge vehicle, protect it from whatever surprises life can, and will, throw your way. From the essential bumper-to-bumper coverage you get with the Maximum Care plan, or the value of the Powertrain Plus coverage, protecting one of your most significant investments is an easy call. And so is getting a free quote from Chrysler Warranty Direct. Just head to their website Chrysler Warranty Direct, or call now at 1-888-352-6103.

Extended Service Contracts: Do You Need One, and Why? » AutoGuide.com News
Confused about extended service contracts? Here's everything you need to know about why you should consider opting for an extended warranty plan.

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