[Jim_in_PA]

I'll be adding the Subaru Gold extended service contract in the next month or so as I'm approaching my 36 month warranty expiry on my MY19 Touring. I chose to wait, but now "it's time". I do not intend to sell or trade this vehicle for a number of years and with the level of tech, I prefer to pre-pay for the extended service contract as I did with the Grand Cherokee that I drove previously for 7 years.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Extended Service Contracts are insurance...they are even regulated that way in some place, such as Florida. So how one views the concept of insurance applies here. I'm with Packout here...the cost of just replacing one major component should there be a failure can easily exceed the cost of the contract these days with parts cost and labor. If I was only going to keep a vehicle for 4-5 year, I'd bear the risk; for a longer period of time, I'm more inclined to buy the insurance as I'm about to do for my MY19 that I do expect to continue to drive for at least another 4-5 years. Maybe longer since I put so few miles on now and we intend to buy an EV for all our local running around in about two years to replace the Forester.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I'll take 3 recalls over an out of pocket repair any day of the week. To me, manufacturer induced recalls (not forced by litigation or the government) show a company is holding true to their quality standards.

I agree. Recalls are a good thing in that respect.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Your clarification that you do not intend to hold onto the vehicle much longer would certainly change my response. Extended service contracts are worthy of consideration for folks keeping a vehicle long term, but to pay for one when the intention to sell is so close....not so much, unless there's a specific reason for that and a pro-rated refund is ok with the buyer when the more near term sale happens. I'd take a risk for a year post OEM warranty over buying the contract and doing the refund dance at or prior to later sale.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I think it's a no brainer to buy the extended warranty given the complexity of the vehicle and the thus far known issues that have arisen.

But not for the OP who has clarified that they do not intend to keep the vehicle much longer.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

A lot of people will lose most or their entire investment on an extended warranty.

I feel compelled to say that a vehicle Extended Service Contract really isn't an investment. It's insurance. I've not had a claim on my homeowners insurance in over ten years and about the same on my auto insurance. That's probably in the neighborhood of $40+K in that time frame combined. That's really the choice here. Some folks want insurance. And yes, it may not actually pay out. Then again, it might. The nature of the beast.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

risk aversion cost/benefit is an individual calculation

^^ This....

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I sure do miss that none have the old CD player my 2019 has.

Time to "modernize", my friend!!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

That will cover the cost of a new transmission which is around $1,800 to $3,700 unless you're getting ripped off.

I'm not sure that number washes...I've heard as high as $6K for the transmission for the Ascent if out of warranty.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Now I'm curious, how many of you actually have extended warranty for our Ascents?

I will within a month and a half when my 3/36 OEM Warranty expires...I'm just trying to decide on the duration for a Subaru Gold extended service contract (what folks like to call "extended warranties") for my MY19 Ascent Touring. I'm deciding between 7 or 8 years.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

In your case (as in mine), as I recall, the CVT is already extended to 100,000 miles and the original drivetrain warranty was 5/60,000 so 7 or 8 doesn't give you much on those items, but depending on how long you are going to keep it, it may get you over a hump.

Yes, I have the extension specifically on the transmission because of the harness recall. But I'm less concerned about that than electronics, etc., over a longer period of time. It's paid off after only two more payments, too. Our intention is to keep the Ascent long term for hauling and travel. Our MY20 Forester will likely morph into an EV for general local running around in about two years or so.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The con that held me back is that when they say 8/80 they include the first three years so it's really a 5/50.

This is pretty much how the entire industry works for manufacturer extended service contracts. They "start" with day one/mile one for when the new vehicle originally went into service. In some instances, they provide additional benefits to the vehicle owner during the OEM warranty period...for the previous vehicle I drove, a Grand Cherokee, the manufacturer contract added things like rental/loaner benefits during the OEM Warranty period which was quite valuable because most dealers don't provide that voluntarily. That's just an example. Of course, it still is confusing to consumers for sure!