Are Maintenance Plans Worth It?

[Gandalf]

We have had a couple of threads on the Extended Service Plans. I am also wondering about the maintenance plan. I know some folks on here have gotten them.

Are they worth it or under what conditions does it make sense to get one? If you do a lot of your own maintenance, then it probably does not make sense. Any other considerations?

 

[blwnsmoke]

If you keep the vehicle for 100k miles and go in every 5,000 miles then yes it is as long as you get a good price. Look at your maintenance section, everything is covered for rputine maintenance and can add up if you pay out of pocket. Fact is, most just have oil changes done and dont have everything checked that the book says to check so in that respect, no. But if you take advantage of every service, you will save money paying it upfront.

 

[Gandalf]

OK, I 'll have to look at the numbers and see if it makes sense. Another factor is with the maintenance plan, I have to take it in to the dealer, which is not always convenient. For routine maintenance, I don't mind taking it to independent shops.

 

[swetrid]

not in my opinion

 

[Gandalf]

Why not? What, specifically, about the plans that make them not worthwhile?

I can understand if you do your own maintenance, or if you won't take advantage of all the different services that are available, then it would not make sense. Any other reasons?

 

[deerfarm]

I bought the maintenance plan. I have never done that or the extended warranty before. I have two toyotas that are four years old and have kept track of the money I have spent on maintenance since buying. I use the Toyota dealer "quick lube" and an independent tire store for maintenance to save money. The cost of the Ford plan is a few cents per mile less than I have spent on these cars, and I have probabably skipped one oil changes during the period. I am hoping I like the maintenance plan. The point that made me go ahead is that I can stop it any time and get a prorated return for the miles remaining. I know I will be disappointed in the money I get back, but at least it would be something.

Hope this helps.

 

[rsteen82]

I was able to get my maintenance plan for $1225, apparently $25 over dealer cost. It made sense to me to get it. An oil change every 5k miles for 75k miles at about $50 an oil change is already about half the cost I paid. Then, considering all the other maintenance done ever 15k miles, I thought it was worth it.

 

[shaneymack]

Hey, I am picking up my ex tomorrow, and the dealer called me tonight offering me the maintenance plan. It costs 3269$ with tax and covers all service and shocks, wipers, brakes, belts, lights (not HID) plugs, and filters for 7 years (18 visits) Did any of you guys take this and do you think that it is worth it?

Thanks!

 

[VinceL]

Hey, I am picking up my ex tomorrow, and the dealer called me tonight offering me the maintenance plan. It costs 3269$ with tax and covers all service and shocks, wipers, brakes, belts, lights (not HID) plugs, and filters for 7 years (18 visits) Did any of you guys take this and do you think that it is worth it?

Thanks!

Check out this link for the thread that discusses this topic.

To cut the above long thread short, www.zeiglerfordesp.com seems to be the place to go.

Hope that helps.

 

[shaneymack]

Check out this link for the thread that discusses this topic.

To cut the above long thread short, www.zeiglerfordesp.com seems to be the place to go.

Hope that helps.

I already searched and read that but i don't think it is the same thing that i was offered. I am referring to the prepaid maintenance plan not the extended warranty.

 

[VinceL]

I already searched and read that but i don't think it is the same thing that i was offered. I am referring to the prepaid maintenance plan not the extended warranty.

Zeigler also sells those sorts of plans. I guess an analysis of the cost of the scheduled maintenance listed at the end of the owner's manual vs. the cost of the plan will tell you if it is a good deal. Calling your dealership and finding out what they charge for the different services seems to be a good starting point.

Let us know what you find out.

If you are a stickler for details, you can also figure in how much it will cost you to finance (if you are doing that) the cost of the plan, and the lost income that $3300 might generate in 7 years if invested.

Also, I know the other plans can be purchased up to a certain time after initial purchase without penalty, so if that is the case with the maintenance plans, it might serve you well to do some of the research I suggested. That way you don't have to feel pressured into buying it.

At any rate, congratulations on your new purchase, and tell us about your car! We have been doing the very early stages of our research in buying my wife an Ex LTD, so your feedback would be helpful.

 

[batman89]

If I am not mistaken, I think you can purchase the warranty any time before the factory warranty expires. Ask your dealer about the details.

If so this would give you time to see what the problems are on the X before spending the money for nothing.

I plan to wait before considering the extra warranty.

 

[artnalex]

He is not considering an extra warranty. He is considering the maintenance plan.

 

[LincolnAviFan]

I was offered a similar plan for my CPOed Lincoln MKZ I purchased a few weeks ago. Considering that - opposed to my old beater which was brought in every 3K miles - the newer cars don't require service that often, the plan they offered appeared to be too expensive.

I don't know if the average service-visit on a brand new Explorer is going to exceed $180. And that's the amount without previous mentioned "loss of interest" and the question if you will keep the car for 7 years in the first place.

 

[Spengracin]

I like to get a maint plan for two years of oil changes/ service?

 

[alexk]

They are rip offs, dont buy it. An oil change is done every 6 months or 7500 miles. You will not spend that much on maintence, especially as most dealers offer service coupons right on their website.

 

[shaneymack]

Seems some guys are confusing the extended warranty and the premium maintenance plan. Here is the link for the Ford maintenance plan if any of you are curious.

http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/ESPPremMaintDetail

The guy i spoke to told me that it is a savings of at least 60% if you buy the maintenance plan now. There is no option to buy it after, this HAS to be purchased when i pick up the vehicle today at 4. He says that in 7 years 150000 i would have to change the brakes at least 3 times which is close to 1000$ each time, so i guess looking at it that way it seems worth while. Then again he is a saleman and maybe i am not seeing clearly because of his smooth sales pitch.

Has anybody else been offered this and or taken it? Need to make a decision by 3pm...all the input i get would be helpful!

 

[lexrid]

Hey, I am picking up my ex tomorrow, and the dealer called me tonight offering me the maintenance plan. It costs 3269$ with tax and covers all service and shocks, wipers, brakes, belts, lights (not HID) plugs, and filters for 7 years (18 visits) Did any of you guys take this and do you think that it is worth it?

Thanks!

That seems high. I ended up getting the Premium Maintenance Plan because they offered it to me out the door for $1,800. Hell, maybe I still got taken for a ride, but at least it wasn't a $3,300 ride.

 

[deerfarm]

I bought the 6 year/100,000 mile plan for $1,535. This was less per mile than I have paid for my two most recent cars and I have not had to put brakes on either of them. This is the first time I have done this, so I don't know if I will regret it or not.

This is the 5,000 mile frequency plan.

I found out on this forum (after my purchase) that you can negotiate price. Made me feel pretty stupid.

 

[LincolnAviFan]

They are rip offs, dont buy it. An oil change is done every 6 months or 7500 miles. You will not spend that much on maintence, especially as most dealers offer service coupons right on their website.

I agree. Not to forget about the official Owner Advantage Rewards Program.