Extended Warranty Opinion

[Jeffco]

I recently purchased a 2000 GS4000, absolutely love this car. Some history:

104K miles

All required service done through 90K including timing / water pump.

Bonus - looked up the vin on lexus.com, the 1 owner had the car in for every 5K maintenance interval from new, to the point there is 4 pages of service records. Love that!

All that said, knowing what you know about theses cars would you pay 1K for coverage that includes the following ( Assume I've done all my research on the company, cause I have :-))

with roadside assistance benefits like towing,

rental car, jumpstart/lockout service, plus more! – will cover your

GS400’s:

ENGINE: Cylinder block and cylinder heads and all internally lubricated

parts; turbocharger; supercharger; harmonic balancer; timing gear, chain

and belt; and water pump. Seals and gaskets are covered when required in

connection with the replacement of a covered part.

TRANSMISSION: Transmission case and all internally lubricated parts;

torque converter; flywheel/flex plate; and vacuum modulator. Seals and

gaskets are covered when required in connection with the replacement of a

covered part.

TRANSFER CASE: Transfer case and all internally lubricated parts. Seals

and gaskets are covered when required in connection with the replacement

of a covered part.

DRIVE AXLE(S): Drive axle housing and all internally lubricated parts;

locking hubs; drive shafts; universal joints; and constant velocity

joints.

A/C & HEATING: Condenser; condenser fan; condenser fan motor; .compressor;

compressor clutch; evaporator; accumulator; dryer; expansion valve.

COOLING SYSTEM: Cooling fan; cooling fan motor; and fan clutch.

FUEL SYSTEM: Fuel delivery pump ; fuel injection pump; metal fuel lines;

fuel pressure regulator; fuel sending unit; and fuel gauge.

ELECTRICAL: Alternator/generator; A/C blower motor; starter motor; starter

solenoid; and starter drive ; horns; windshield wiper motors; windshield

washer pump; power antenna motor; power window motors; window regulators ;

power door lock actuators; power trunk release; and all manually operated

switches.

SEALS & GASKETS: Seals and gaskets are covered as part of repair or

replacement of the above covered parts.

36 months/75,000 miles = $117.50 down, and 18 installments of $58.75 Total

= $1,175.00 with a $100 deductible.

48 months/75,000 miles = $121.20 down, and 18 installments of $60.60 Total

= $1,212.00 with a $100 deductible.

60 months/100,000 miles = $126.60 down, and 18 installments of $63.30

Total = $1,266.00 with a $100 deductible.

($50 Deductibles are also available for the above plans.)

Thanks for the opinions - love the site!

[1990LS400]

I can't comprehend buying a service warranty on a 12 year old car. Put the money you would spend on a warranty in the bank and pay for repairs from those funds - you will come out far ahead. My opinion is that service warranties are for suckers - and I retired from a company that sells automobile service warranties.

[pj8708]

I think you need a second opinion.

Don't buy the warranty. If this is your first Lexus your going to find that they are a reliable automobile. But like the writer above said, this IS a TWELVE year old car and we're talking about adding another three or four years on to that. So now, we have a 16yr. old car. Think about what the value will be of your car at that point. Maybe &1,000.00? or $1,500.00? If you keep your $1,200.00 from the warranty you've doubled the money you have left from the use of the GS. (A great Car).

Additionally, things such as the cylinder block and pistons, camshafts, and cylinder heads seldom go bad under normal driving conditions. A transmission that has been serviced like the one you say yours has should only need periodic draining every 75,000 miles or so. Yes the warranty is a wonderful peace of mind for a beat up car that was never taken care of, but one like yours with all the records?.....Save your money!

Paul

Also Jeff, Welcome to the Lexus Owners Club! Feel free to look around and do some more posting.

[Jeffco]

Thanks - I appreciate the feedback. As you said, I looked at it from a piece of mind perspective. I just got rid of my 14 year old Jeep, it left me stranded in some bad spots over the last several months. Apples and Oranges ( Jeep to Lexus) but I'm still trying to shake being stuck on top of a bridge in rushour :-)! Again - appreciate the feedback, I had a feeling that would be the advice:-).

Great site!

[1990LS400]

A service warranty won't protect you from "being stuck on top of a bridge in rush hour". Maybe verify that your auto insurance company covers towing or join AAA which is a bargain if you travel and rent vehicles very often.

By 2000, Lexus cars like your GS had become much more reliable than the early Lexus vehicles which in their day were pretty reliable too. My 1990 LS400 got to ride a flat bed truck at least three times after it broke down - that's never happened with my 2000 LS400.

Just keep on top of the maintenance outlined in your maintenance booklet, get anything that breaks repaired as soon as it breaks, and you will be golden.