Subaru Extended Warranty Plans -- Which plan would you choose?

So last night when we went to pick up our new Subaru (hooray!) and sign off on the paperwork, at the last minute the salesperson presented us with several warranty options and asked us which option we preferred.  When I expressed my displeasure over having not had an opportunity to review information about the various warranty options beforehand, the salesperson was very nice.  He allowed us to take possession of the vehicle (without being forced to make an on the spot decision regarding the warranty), with the understanding that we will return today or on Monday to complete the paperwork.  

So now I'm sitting here with all these brochures describing the various plans, what's included, what's excluded --- and trying to figure out the value of each plan.  I've attached a pic showing information about the warranty options.   We've decided that we want GAP coverage, and the Added Security Service Agreement Gold Plus Plan (which extends manufacturer warranty to 96 mos/80K miles), so we know that we at least want the PLUS Plan.  I would really appreciate feedback (from fellow Subaru owners and MOL members who are knowledgeable about cars) on whether you think it makes financial sense to upgrade from the PLUS Plan to the ADVANTAGE Plan.  The ADVANTAGE Plan costs $1789 more than the PLUS Plan and includes scheduled maintenance for 36 months/36K miles, plus Tire/Wheel Protection.  Frankly the many exclusions on the Tire/Wheel Protection make it unlikely that we will use that protection.  So the question becomes, "Is $1789 a fair price for 36 months of scheduled routine maintenance coverage?"

Don't get any of it. So let's see. $1,789. is a high price for most any repair you might encounter.

How many miles did you have on the car you traded in (or will sell)? Remember, if you get stuck with a problem, it will likely be subject to a recall. No charge to you.

If it isn't subject to a recall, it will be covered by N.J. Lemon Law. That means, the dealer gets three chances to fix the problem. If not, they have to give you the residual value of your car. At 79,999 miles, that would still be about $10- 15,000.

That leads to another question-- why are you buying a Subby with an 80K warranty as opposed to a Hyundai with a 100K warranty?

But lets continue.

So, lets see what could go wrong. Brakes aren't covered. Maintenance isn't covered. Damage is covered by your car insurance. Consider getting a deductible that is less than $500.

That leaves the engine and transmission. A few thousand for each. Chances of that happening and not being covered by recall are almost zero.

Go to the service department. Ask how many repairs THEY CAN DOCUMENT, that were covered by the policy the aftermarket guy is trying to sell you. Here is where you can have some fun. If the service guy says they get a lot, go back to the aftermarket guy and say you don't want the car. "Your service guy says its a piece of ---t."

You actually have 3 business days to return the car with no questions asked. They know that. But remind them of it.

If you really want the policy, Tell 'em you'll take the car if they throw in the policy to cover their piece of ---t. I actually did this years ago at Global in South Plainfield, and got the policy at 1/2 price on a car Joyce wanted. She really wanted the policy. Whatever.

But you really don't need the policy.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

On other vehicles I was able to purchase an extended warranty for up to 3 years (and 30-something-thousand miles) after purchasing the car. I was also able to buy it from any dealership, and different ones have different pricing. I think it's just a hard-sell tactic to tell you to come back on Monday/Tues.

if you really want it, and not an after market warranty, offer them half of what they are asking.  It's pure profit for them.  I've never bought one and never regretted it.  

Don’t you get a free 3 year bumper to bumper warranty ( or 36k miles)?

I have a 2018 forester bought new 

I don’t recall being offered additional warranty options but I probably was and just declined 

There must be some issue because they increased the drive train warranty to 10 years or 100k miles within a few months 

I love the car and have had no issues in 18 months 

Btw-they do keep sending additional warranty options ( which I toss away)

My first instinct based on my experience with two Subaru Foresters is to say, you don't need any extra warranty at all.  If you want the gap coverage you probably still don't need the Advantage plan. If you'd just be doing oil changes on their dime with the maintenance coverage, definitely not. 

First Forester was a 2002, bought new.  The only major repairs it ever had were a radiator; a fuel pump; and significant front end body work after I hit a deer on the highway.  It was just starting to leak oil from the head gaskets when I traded it in with 206,000+ miles.

Second, a 2009. The dealership extended the powertrain warranty for free to 100,000 miles because it was a test drive car.  It needed nothing at all until it was near 150,000 miles, when in the space of about a year it wanted head gaskets; transmission lines; right front wheel bearing; and many exhaust components.  The extended warranty expired before anything covered by it went bad.  I'd still be driving that one now, but it was totalled by a yutz plowing into the back of it at a fair speed while I was waiting in line at a red light.  When that happened, it had 158,000+ miles. 

I did the scheduled maintenance on the '02 exactly as the owner's manual recommended, but with the '09, not so much.  Maybe that made a difference, but a warranty wouldn't have helped in either case.  My dad would advise to put the money you'd spend on the warranty into an interest bearing savings account so it will be there if you need it for future repairs, rather than paying it out for coverage you may not ever use.

mulemom said:

....   My dad would advise to put the money you'd spend on the warranty into an interest bearing savings account so it will be there if you need it for future repairs, rather than paying it out for coverage you may not ever use.

 That about sums it up. My dad said the same thing. Are you gonna pop up when I send my spit to Ancestry?

Any actual defect is likely to show up within the normal warranty period.

If it is in their best interest to offer an extended warranty plan, it is in your best interest not to buy it from them.  On principle, I never buy extended warranties for anything (except for my cell phone, since I drop it out my shirt pocket a lot). 

Formerlyjerseyjack said:

mulemom said:

....   My dad would advise to put the money you'd spend on the warranty into an interest bearing savings account so it will be there if you need it for future repairs, rather than paying it out for coverage you may not ever use.

 That about sums it up. My dad said the same thing. Are you gonna pop up when I send my spit to Ancestry?

 You never know!   LOL

It comes with a warranty.

This is just a hard sell to put more money in their pockets.  Don't do it.  Say no thank you.

Thanks very much everyone for all your comments, suggestions and astute advice about the extended warranty options!

I had totally forgotten about NJ's lemon law until @Formerlyjerseyjack mentioned it.  Our old car was a 2007 VW Rabbit with 185K miles on it.  The only major expense ($4000) that we incurred with our VW was back in 2016 when we had to rebuild the transmission (at 150K miles).  The transmission was going out again.  I really loved our VW Rabbit and was considering having the transmission rebuilt again, but my husband and two of the good mechanics in town agreed that it was time to let the car go.  The Subaru dealer offered us $200 trade-in for the VW.  We sold it via Peddle.com for $445.   

@oots - Yes, the Forester comes with a 3 year/36K mile bumper to bumper warranty.  By sharing your experiences as Subaru Forester owners you and @mulemon really helped reassure us that we didn't need to purchase an extended warranty. 

Based on all your feedback, we ultimately decided to pass on the extended warranty options.  Thank you all for helping us reach a decision based on logic instead of emotion!