[kgvickers]

Since my registration went public here in Tx I'm suddenly getting the usual three calls per day trying to sell me an extended warranty. Normally I pass on all of them, I've just accepted the risk in the past. I turn my own wrenches and so far I've been able to fix everything car related.

Based on my research here there are not many issues with nagging little things but I'm good at fixing those. What really worries me are things like the brake pressure modulator, charging system and cooling, things like that which are one-of-a-kind and exclusive to the first gen Volt.

If any of you did purchase an extended warranty can you give me any company recommendations? Many of them are shady and always teetering on the edge of solvency.

Thanks in advance.

 

[hellsop]

Based on my research here there are not many issues with nagging little things but I'm good at fixing those. What really worries me are things like the brake pressure modulator, charging system and cooling, things like that which are one-of-a-kind and exclusive to the first gen Volt.

MOST of the time, you're better off just paying for stuff on your own, and the Volt's not really that different. You're much more locked in to getting things done at the Voltec-certified dealership, but as you point out, the place you paid money to may not even exist next year, and if it's around, it's because it took in a lot more money from people like you than it paid out. Put it in the "next Volt" downpayment fund instead, and tap that for repairs if you see it as being worthwhile.

 

[kgvickers]

Yeah, that's how I've always operated. I've typically bought "conventional" cars that are at least 10 years old. In the past this meant I could easily repair anything on the car without dealer assistance. The recent 2015 Prius and the 2013 Volt are obvious exceptions.

There are plenty of Toyota Prius techs doing side work but there are zillions of those cars on the road - not so for the Volt yet.

 

[MrEnergyCzar]

GM Major Guard or now Ally. I have Major Guard on both Volts. It seems you get overly good service for even minor issues. I had what turned out to be a pebble stuck up behind a wheel but they replaced the whole front struts/shocks/suspension parts first at 60k miles, making the ride like new again.

 

[slovolt]

I did, but would not do again, Only thing i have had to do was change oil twice in five years and the dealer always tries to talk me out of doing that,(not enough miles on the engine)Volt has been trouble free!!

 

[marcusm]

I have bought the extended warranty on every new car I’ve bought. I always keep cars for at least 8-10 years so want coverage for the 3+ years. On the Volt it is a pretty specialized and complex vehicle so I wanted coverage. So I bought the 7 year coverage for both.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fred_B]

Considering you get 5 yr / 60K engine warranty and 8 yr / 100k Voltec (including main battery) warranty on top of the 3 yr / 36k bumper to bumper warranty, it's almost like the car comes with an extended warranty already.

Even the A/C compressor is covered under the 8 year Voltec warranty, since it is needed to cool the battery.

In the 4 years I have had my 2013, nothing has needed fixing that wasn't either under warranty or covered by a service bulletin.

 

[Stromfahrer]

I've had one problem since the bumper-to-bumper expired and the $1,500 extended warranty kicked in. I had the dreaded "front end clicking." It's a minor part (hub nut washers), but a lot of labor. Saved me about $450. So unless I have another grand of problems, it won't have paid for itself. It's the first extended warranty I've bought, but I keep cars a long time, and this was pretty new technology, so despite hindsight, I'd probably do it again.

 

[emg77]

Well, whatever you do, don't buy one from one of the scam artists that calls you.

I had my last car for 9 years and didn't have anything go wrong out of warranty. I'd take that money and put it in a repair fund for a rainy day.

 

[DonC]

The first question is how long you think you'll keep the car. If it's three or four years then it's likely not worth it. The first three years will be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty and you can likely risk a year.

If you think you'll keep the car 7+ years then it's all about how you feel protecting on the downside. This is essentially an insurance product where you pay the premium and hope you don't need to use the insurance. You're trying to avoid a big repair bill, not a few small ones. Whether this appeals to you depends on your risk tolerance. (Complete disclosure I bought a GM policy).

As mentioned, if you buy a policy you want to get either Ally or GM. They have a host of mile/year options. You want to pick the one that works best for you. You also want to shop around. You can buy a policy from any dealer. Do a bit of research to find recommended dealers -- they can be in any state -- and let email and the phone be your friend.

Finally there is some timing involved. The policy starts from the moment you buy it. IOW if you buy a 3 year policy on the day you buy your car you've bought nothing since the policy is coterminus with the bumper to bumper warranty. Consequently there are two times you want to get a policy. One is right before the expiration of twelve months or 12K miles. The pricing for this is the same as if you bought it on day one. The second is right before the expiration of the bumper to bumper. This is more expensive but far less than if you bought it after the bumper to bumper warranty expired. For example, if you buy a four year policy after one year you're covered for five years. Buy it at the end of three years and you have eight years of coverage. Keep in mind that premiums can be increased with time, but the increases haven't been a big deal.

 

[canehdian]

Most people are trouble free or have everything covered under warranty.
You're likely better to self-insure.
If it's $3k up front, bank/invest that $3k for later and earn interest on it.
If you need to make a repair, it will likely cover it (all the majors are covered for a rather generous warranty)
If you don't, you have your cash in hand.

 

[driver779]

I agree with Fred_B.

We had a 2013 Volt used for my companies fleet operations for our field engineers at work. The pump for the climate system in the HVAC died resulting in cold EV operation but normal ICE operation. Part of Voltec warranty covered it, the rest was something GM Fleet Insurance covered. Under my understanding is that personal vehicles may need to open a customer service case number first then a dealer visit (push the onstar and speak with an advisor first) which helps a LOT dealing with the stealership.

As you have a 2013 it would be wise to be prepared for climate control issues even with the latest official software update that was addressed in a TSB on November 1, 2013.

My 2012 has been flawlessly reliable. Just installed some Defenders and boy what a difference they make!!!

 

[freshcut]

Really an extended warranty does come down to personal preference, how long you plan to keep the car, and how confident you are in being able to do repairs that may not be covered under the additional warranties outside the B2B. As noted in a post I made on Tuesday, I have a GMPP that is still in effect for another 400 or so miles. With just under 111K on the clock for mine, it's actually in the shop right now getting the heater repaired before it expires. Most are lucky and don't need to ever take advantage of their warranty but it's definitely nice if you have one. I bought my '13 used last year and was able to receive the balance of the GMPP coverage. Since then it reimbursed me for replacing a driver window regulator since the coverage transfer was still in progress when I had it replaced and now it's paying for the heater coolant control valve. Granted the first repair was only about $350 they saved me, and I'm going on a guess that it's about the same cost for the heater control valve based on the valve cost of about $50-70 and associated labor. Sure, rather than spending money on the warranty, one could have put it in a savings fund for repairs but as I purchased the car used and wouldn't have had that convenience and foresight I'm certainly glad the original buyer did so and can certainly make for a good selling point if you intend on selling with higher mileage later. Having bought mine at 93K on the clock, it certainly made the offer much more appealing. I will admit I do highly wish I could extend my coverage, perhaps even to a full 150K but my understanding is that once this coverage is gone, that's it and I will only have the 10y/150K voltec coverage remaining.

 

[kgvickers]

GM Major Guard or now Ally. I have Major Guard on both Volts. It seems you get overly good service for even minor issues. I had what turned out to be a pebble stuck up behind a wheel but they replaced the whole front struts/shocks/suspension parts first at 60k miles, making the ride like new again.

I checked with Ally online yesterday. With 75K miles apparently I'm past their mileage cutoff. So I'm back to the shady guys so I'll be passing.

Part of my reasoning is that if the extended warranty would cover it until 125K AND be transferable then the car would be an easier sell to the next guy ..... I'm already considering the Gen 2.