Opinions on "Added Security" maintenance plan

[Alexander Miha]

Thanks to all who posted and emailed comments on my previous post! I
just wrote a check for an 07 Outback wagon, my first Subie.

Now the dealer is offering an "Added Security" maintenance plan, which
covers scheduled maintenance costs. For $990 upfront it is supposed to
cover recommended maintenance (parts and labor) until 45k miles (no
time limit) at any Subaru dealership.

While most "extras" I have seen before looked like a waste of money,
this one seems a pretty good deal. It is also "cancellable for a prorated
refund".

Have you seen or used this plan? Any suggestions or comments, good or
bad? Any info is appreciated!

-- Alex

 

[Todd H.]

Thanks to all who posted and emailed comments on my previous post! I
just wrote a check for an 07 Outback wagon, my first Subie.

Now the dealer is offering an "Added Security" maintenance plan, which
covers scheduled maintenance costs. For $990 upfront it is supposed to
cover recommended maintenance (parts and labor) until 45k miles (no
time limit) at any Subaru dealership.

While most "extras" I have seen before looked like a waste of money,
this one seems a pretty good deal. It is also "cancellable for a prorated
refund".

Have you seen or used this plan? Any suggestions or comments, good or
bad? Any info is appreciated!

You're wise to shop around on this.

Search the archives of this group for "extended warranty" for my posts
about it. Subaru at the time I was shopping sold 2 levels of extended
warranty -- one that was little more than a power train warranty, and
another that was exclusionary ("everything bumper to bumper except this
list of stuff") coverage -- gold plus or whatever plan.

Subaru has their MSRP on these warranty plans, and dealers are free to
set their own prices. There are some dealers out there that discount
a lot, but most use this as a high markup profit center.

I got mine from Curry Subaru of Chicopee Massaschussets, about 1100
miles from where I bought my car.

You have until the expiration of your factory bumper to bumper
warranty to make a decision.

Now, that said, your situation is different--it's prepaid factory
maintenace, not a warranty. I'd take a look at your factory
maintenance schedule and see what's actually involved up to 45000
miles. I don't think it's all that much honestly. The pricey service
hits at 60k if I recall correctly.

Wish I had better info for you on this, but be suspicious of anything
the dealer is trying to sell you after negotiating the price on your
car. It's rarely a good deal, and if these sorts of "at any subaru
dealership" things exist, you can bet you're able to negotiate for
lower price at other dealers, perhaps even out of state.

Good luck--let us know how it pans out!


Best Regards,

 

[Oscar_Lives]

You're wise to shop around on this.

Search the archives of this group for "extended warranty" for my posts
about it. Subaru at the time I was shopping sold 2 levels of extended
warranty -- one that was little more than a power train warranty, and
another that was exclusionary ("everything bumper to bumper except this
list of stuff") coverage -- gold plus or whatever plan.

Subaru has their MSRP on these warranty plans, and dealers are free to
set their own prices. There are some dealers out there that discount
a lot, but most use this as a high markup profit center.

I got mine from Curry Subaru of Chicopee Massaschussets, about 1100
miles from where I bought my car.

How much did you pay for your extended warranty, Todd? What term did you
purchase?

 

[Bill Bradley]

It's just prepaying your routine services. Not sure if it's a good idea or
not, but, I did it, and, haven't had to pay any additional.

However, on BOTH the extended warranty and this, I shopped online, got VERY
low pricing, and, told my dealer if they wanted me to buy these, I would,
for the online prices, and, they lowered theirs to match.

 

[Todd H.]

How much did you pay for your extended warranty, Todd? What term did you
purchase?

I bought 100k/6yr/0deductible/GoldPlus plan for my 2001 from Curry
Subaru for $1200 back in early 2003.

 

[Body Roll]

Thanks to all who posted and emailed comments on my previous post! I
just wrote a check for an 07 Outback wagon, my first Subie.

Now the dealer is offering an "Added Security" maintenance plan, which
covers scheduled maintenance costs. For $990 upfront it is supposed to
cover recommended maintenance (parts and labor) until 45k miles (no
time limit) at any Subaru dealership.

While most "extras" I have seen before looked like a waste of money,
this one seems a pretty good deal. It is also "cancellable for a prorated
refund".

Have you seen or used this plan? Any suggestions or comments, good or
bad? Any info is appreciated!

I'd skip this, save $990 towards the timing belt change at 60k
and shop around for an extended warranty since your car is built in the
US.
But, then, I do my oil changes myself and I don't expect any other
"maintenance" before 60k save for a coolant change or two which is
under
$100 anyway. Even if I need brakes before then I think I'm better
off paying out of pocket. Yours does not even extend (pun intended)
to 60k and the timing belt swap $$$ looming at 60k is the answer why.
If you do oil changes at the dealer and the plan includes 8-9 of them
then maybe it's a good value to you since dealers charge over $40
for the dyno swap. I guess if boils down to this: do you have a shop
that services your cars and does not rip you off too much?

 

[Edward Hayes]

I would skip this for sure. You have a bumper -to-bumper warranty and
then a 6 year/60,000 mile power train warranty, so you gain very
little. In addition; someone mentioned a timing belt change at 60,000
is incorrect as it is 105,000 miles and a TB change doesn't fall under
a warranty as it is a maintenance item. If a timing belt brakes while
under warranty then it's covered.