Do I need a warranty on a 97 Boxster?
08-28-2002, 03:06 PM
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Do I need a warranty on a 97 Boxster?
Hello,
I'm considering my first Porsche, and had a question.
I'm currently looking at purchasing a 1997 model Boxster (haven't found one yet, but am looking), and was wondering what the general consensus was about the necessity of purchasing an aftermarket warranty.
The reason I ask is because I've done a bit of pricing on these warranties, and for a full-coverage 3/36 warranty, the prices were $3000 - $3500. That seemed pretty high for a car valued in the low to mid $20k range.
Is dealer repair required that often? I *am* a resonably skilled hobby mechanic -- would that help?
Thanks in advance for suffering the questions of a newbie.
-Kent
I'm considering my first Porsche, and had a question.
I'm currently looking at purchasing a 1997 model Boxster (haven't found one yet, but am looking), and was wondering what the general consensus was about the necessity of purchasing an aftermarket warranty.
The reason I ask is because I've done a bit of pricing on these warranties, and for a full-coverage 3/36 warranty, the prices were $3000 - $3500. That seemed pretty high for a car valued in the low to mid $20k range.
Is dealer repair required that often? I *am* a resonably skilled hobby mechanic -- would that help?
Thanks in advance for suffering the questions of a newbie.
-Kent
08-28-2002, 04:00 PM
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If it were a new car and you were extending the warranty to say 100,000K or 10 years or something then I might see it as worth it, but for a 97 valued at 20K, to spend $3500 probably isn't worth it unless you just want piece of mind. If you can do basic stuff you'll save money barring any catastrophic failure. It's always a gamble, but in this instance the price seems extraordinarily high for that warranty.
Look for a reputable Porsche 3rd party shop in your area and you can probably get a better deal on repair work than at your local Porsche dealer.
Look for a reputable Porsche 3rd party shop in your area and you can probably get a better deal on repair work than at your local Porsche dealer.
08-28-2002, 05:29 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
We just bought a 1998 Boxster from a local Dodge dealer, and a warranty was not available. The only place I know of that you can get one is from a Porsche dealer, and the cars a lot higher from them. But, you know they are in better shape, than you get from a "DODGE" dealer. We just took a chance. Remember if you spend $3000 on a warranty, then you would have to break at least #3,000 worth of stuff just to come out even.
One other problem. I have a friend that works on American cars, and he says he hates it when people come in with one of those used car warranties. He says that the warranty company tries every thing they can think of to deny claims. He says it has gotten to be so much hassle that he has told his customers that the warranty is between them and the warranty company, and to leave him out.
Be careful,
Bill
One other problem. I have a friend that works on American cars, and he says he hates it when people come in with one of those used car warranties. He says that the warranty company tries every thing they can think of to deny claims. He says it has gotten to be so much hassle that he has told his customers that the warranty is between them and the warranty company, and to leave him out.
Be careful,
Bill
08-29-2002, 03:04 PM
#4
Former Sponsor
You could get to $3000 pretty quick with a Porsche. Friend of mine has one. One of the cables for the top broke causing the tonneau cover to bind and bend. He's looking at about a $2500 repair when you include the body work.
08-29-2002, 08:08 PM
#5
The only thing I would be afraid of is soft top related failures.I have heard some complaints of cable,motor and lift arm failures that run the repair bill up real quick.Good luck. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
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09-12-2002, 02:27 PM
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IMHO aftermarket warranties are a total pieces of ****. Ask me how I know. They WILL deny most claims. They are in it only for the $$$ (which is fine...), and as such, do NOT care a wit about your ownership experience. I purchased a 2 yr. 24K warranty from HondaCarCare (P-car bought from an Acura/Porsche Dealership).
3 months after purchase the rear engine seal started leaking. --> Denied
At 4 months worn exhaust valve guides. --> Denied
Which lead to the discovery of carbon buildup in the secondary air injection system. 77 hrs of labor @ $125 per hr. --> Denied
So now we're up to ~$10K plus the cost of the warranty. Which--buy the way--was not even run by Honda (it is owned and managed by a third party with no affiliation with Honda) All these claims were denied as pre-existing conditions.
Note: The original dealership was shocked--SHOCKED--that the claims were not covered. They claim they no longer offer this particular warranty.
On the other hand, if you find yourself suffering from lower intestinal distress--and the rest room is out of TP..., then perhaps an aftermarket warranty might provide some utility.
Cheers,
Chris
ps PCNA has said they will pick up the cost.
<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />
I should have my significant other back in a week or so--after being down ~10 weeks.
pps I'll be canceling the warranty as soon as she's back--I'll recover ~70% of the price of the POS warranty.
3 months after purchase the rear engine seal started leaking. --> Denied
At 4 months worn exhaust valve guides. --> Denied
Which lead to the discovery of carbon buildup in the secondary air injection system. 77 hrs of labor @ $125 per hr. --> Denied
So now we're up to ~$10K plus the cost of the warranty. Which--buy the way--was not even run by Honda (it is owned and managed by a third party with no affiliation with Honda) All these claims were denied as pre-existing conditions.
Note: The original dealership was shocked--SHOCKED--that the claims were not covered. They claim they no longer offer this particular warranty.
On the other hand, if you find yourself suffering from lower intestinal distress--and the rest room is out of TP..., then perhaps an aftermarket warranty might provide some utility.
Cheers,
Chris
ps PCNA has said they will pick up the cost.
<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />
I should have my significant other back in a week or so--after being down ~10 weeks.
pps I'll be canceling the warranty as soon as she's back--I'll recover ~70% of the price of the POS warranty.
09-12-2002, 03:06 PM
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FWIW,
I used to work for an insurance company as an in-house counsel and I can tell you that more often than not we sent letters disclaiming coverage when actually coverage could potentially exist if the client pushed back. Most clients didn't push back but took our word for it that in our opinion they weren't covered for x y or z. The smart ones looked at their contract language and pushed back and if they had a leg to stand on then the insurance company did something about it, of course as little as could be done or as little as could be paid out as possible.
That's simply the name of the game. I'm sure if you had an attorney fire them back a letter as to why your car is covered by that warranty and how you will be suing them if they don't cover it you would get some sort of reaction out of them, unless the company just isn't legit.
I used to work for an insurance company as an in-house counsel and I can tell you that more often than not we sent letters disclaiming coverage when actually coverage could potentially exist if the client pushed back. Most clients didn't push back but took our word for it that in our opinion they weren't covered for x y or z. The smart ones looked at their contract language and pushed back and if they had a leg to stand on then the insurance company did something about it, of course as little as could be done or as little as could be paid out as possible.
That's simply the name of the game. I'm sure if you had an attorney fire them back a letter as to why your car is covered by that warranty and how you will be suing them if they don't cover it you would get some sort of reaction out of them, unless the company just isn't legit.
09-12-2002, 06:33 PM
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Ken2KS
[quote] That's simply the name of the game. <hr></blockquote>
So true!
[quote] ...I can tell you that more often than not we sent letters disclaiming coverage when actually coverage could potentially exist if the client pushed back. Most clients didn't push back but took our word for it that in our opinion they weren't covered for x y or z. The smart ones looked at their contract language and pushed back and if they had a leg to stand on then the insurance company did something about it... <hr></blockquote>
I was pretty sure that was the case with my situation, but as you note I really just didn't want to hassle with it. $-wise it would be close to a wash if I had to pay attorney fees. And what? I'm going to go through this every time something comes up? I don't think so.
When my car is finally back, when the warranty is finally canceled I will have learned a valuable and relatively cheap lesson!
Chris
[quote] That's simply the name of the game. <hr></blockquote>
So true!
[quote] ...I can tell you that more often than not we sent letters disclaiming coverage when actually coverage could potentially exist if the client pushed back. Most clients didn't push back but took our word for it that in our opinion they weren't covered for x y or z. The smart ones looked at their contract language and pushed back and if they had a leg to stand on then the insurance company did something about it... <hr></blockquote>
I was pretty sure that was the case with my situation, but as you note I really just didn't want to hassle with it. $-wise it would be close to a wash if I had to pay attorney fees. And what? I'm going to go through this every time something comes up? I don't think so.
When my car is finally back, when the warranty is finally canceled I will have learned a valuable and relatively cheap lesson!
Chris
