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Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Hai Le on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 11:33 a.m.
Hello everyone,
I just bought a new 98 V70 T5 wagon last weekend. It's a white, leather interior, TRACS, Euro rails, fog lights, ... Already have so much fun and deeply in love with it. My wife, too. It is a handsome wagon, indeed. Here are my questions for you folks.
First, Should I buy an extended warranty for this car ? my broker offered us a seems to be a good deal, 6 years/100,000 miles bumpers-to-bumpers contract, $25 deductible for each claim. Is the volvo reliable enough so that I can go without this contracts ? Volvo has 4 years/50,000 miles warranty, is it good enough ?
Second, I am considering installing a Lojack security/retrieval system. Is it working as well as advertised ? Do I need one ? V70 T5 comes with built-in remote control arlarm system, however, this is our first car that breaks $35,000 mark and we feel uneasy going without adequate protection. Is Lojack worth $675 ?
Last, my T5 comes with no-cost option tires, 205/50/16 ZR MXM Michelin on 6.5x16 rims. To me, they look a bit narrow (for width) and thin (for profile). With this thin profile, are the rims easily damaged driving in California road ? Will standard 205/55/16 VR4 tires provide more comfort and protection for the rims ? If I choose to go wider on the tires, will 225/50/16 fit ? How wide can I go on the V70 T5 without causing any problem ? Will wider, let say, 225/50/16 tires provide softer ride, more grip and braking power than the current 205/50/16 ?
Thanks millions in advance.
Happily driving a Volvo.
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Robert van Dam on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 7:16 p.m.
How much is offer they made you for the warranty?
My '95 T5 is getting close to 49,000 miles. Before that mileage I can purchase the extended warranty for a $ 75 fee (for not getting it when the car was new).
Some price ideas of the plans they could offer us:
Virginia Surety Company, Inc. (we have to decide before 49,000 miles)
6yr/72,000 mi ends 2001 Gold $ 1,097 - Platinum $ 1,235
6yr/100,000 mi ends 2001 Gold $ 1,409 - Platinum $ 1,570
7yr/75,000 mi ends 2002 Gold $ 1,114 - Platinum $ 1,250
Where Gold warrants only the parts listed. Platinum covers everything
except what is excluded in the Repair Agreement (maintenance services
and parts as in the Manufacturer's Maintenance Schedule, normal
maintenance items and some aftermarket accessories).
There is a parts and labor deductable of $50 (why is yours only $ 25?) per visit and there are reimbursements for Towing ($50) and Rental ($25/day for max of 5 days)for above plans.
At the other dealer I got:
VIP and GE
3yrs/36,000 miles $ 1,475 for GE and $ 1,425 for VIP
2yrs/24,000 miles $ 1,170 for GE
Decision has to be made before 60,000 miles. Car has to be inspected
first. Also deductable of $ 50 per visit.
Got the story here that GE owns 50% of the stock in Volvo warranty
plans.
Like to hear the prices they quoted you...
To answer your questions:
you don't have to decide now;
one turbo replacement under warranty will set you back more than you pay for the additional warranty.
Robert
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Hai Le on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 8:14 p.m.
Robert,
Thanks for replying.
The offer we got was from my broker at Autoland, California. The company provides coverage is from MBI, Inc. by New Hampshire Insurance Company but the coverage is national and transferable. 6 years/100,000 miles quoted for $759.00 if I buy before year end. It is supposed to be bumper-to-bumper, $25 deductible, towing/road service, lost key, car rental, trip interrupt benefits. I am requesting their detail list of not covered in the plan. If you are interested I'll keep you posted.
Your figure seems high (was yours offered by the dealer ?) since many plans I saw in the net are below $1,000.
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Tuesday, 25 November 1997, at 10:14 p.m.
The VIP is definitely one of, if not the best available. The dealer does not have to contact the warranty company to get approval for a repair with VIP. Any other warranty company will have to give approval before work can begin. Depending on the particular job and company, they may even want to send an adjuster out to inspect the car. These guys can be flaming assholes (pardon my French). They try to read more into some situations and the car owner is the one who gets screwed.
The prices on these warranties can be negotiated. There is a substantial mark up on these (high profit add on).
If you wait to purchase this warranty, it may affect the coverage available to you. Some warranties do not offer as thorough coverage on a car over a certain mileage. Be SURE to find out these facts.
Push for the VIP. Far and away one of the best!!
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by pat on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 9:05 p.m.
So what is considered a good price for a VIP warranty for a 98 V70T5? How much is the markup? It's the one thing I can't find any published numbers on.
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Thursday, 27 November 1997, at 8:31 p.m.
Wish I had even a close idea, but I don't. Call around to some other Volvo dealers. Remember, the price IS negotiable.
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by pat on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 10:11 p.m.
As soon as I get back home in another week, I'm going to start the process of purchasing a V70T5 with all the same options as you got. If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay? Since it'll be near year's end, I would hope to be able to easily bargain. 0-2% above cost?
pat
Re: Buying extended warranty for 1998 v70 T5 ?[ALL/1998] posted by Robert van Dam on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 4:37 p.m.
Pat:
Check out the overseas delivery special offer from VCNA. It can save you $3,000 - $5,000 over the best deal you can get from any dealer.
Plus you have a nice trip to Sweden as a vacation.
Robert
Re: Tires[ALL/1998] posted by Peter on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 10:20 a.m.
I live in the San Francisco bay area, have driven all over California and have driven 50 series tires for years. I've had no dented rims or loss of air. I suspect my suspenson is much stiffer than yours, thereby exacerbating any problem I would have had. I wouldn't worry about it - provided you're careful about monitoring tire pressures.
With any low profile/low volume tire you'll want to keep an eye on tire pressure. Low pressure in a 50 series tire is much more a recipe for dented rims than in a 70 series.
Ride, grip, and noise is much more a function of the tire's design and compound than size. Wider, taller tires may offer a beter ride and more grip. On the other hand, because you're using a wider tire on the same size rim, you may need to pump the pressures up to keep the tread surface planted, negating any ride improvement. You may be better served by going to a stickier tire of the same size. I'd talk to a good performance-oriented tire store that knows what's current on the tire market.
Peter