Warranty on 996

[kevinkw]

Hey Guys,

I got a call from the dealer that did my PPI and was offered warranty on the 1999 996C4.

The car is at 52k miles, and I plan on driving it until it either it breaks or I decide on more graduate school.

The policy is fidelity, and I have heard good things about them.

The low end policy is $3500, it covers just the power train.

The high end policy is $7200, it is bumper to bumper, both are good for 5 years or 60k miles.

The only thing I am really worried about is the blown engine issue on the 996.

So should I go with the $3500 option, the $7200 option, or none at all?

[Loren]

I have seen 5 year/100,000 mile warranties for $2500.

[kevinkw]

I have gotten quotes from companies I have never heard of for bumper to bumper for about $4000.

it's a decision between reliability of the 996 3.4 engine vs warranty companies I haven't heard of before vs companies I heard of and lots of money.

What do you all think?

Anything else that can go wrong in a 1999 C4 with 52k miles that would need fixin'?

[bmohr]

I have a 1999 C4 with 100k miles and the only things that broke I could fix myself, give or take a part vs. time here or there. Anyway, I would get the powerplant protection. That is the most dire issue. Just my 2 cents.

[deckman]

You should shop for better rates and then make your decision.

[racerken]

Get the Warranty!

I wish I had extended my warranty when i switched from 4 year lease to month-to-month back 5 months ago.

Today I had to tow my car to the dealer because the transmission was making noises.

Thus far I'm paying $1,950 just to investigate the problem... (pull the powertrain)

ken

Edited September 20, 2008 by racerken

[kevinkw]

The dealer that did my PPI is offering me Fidelity

http://www.fidelitywarrantyservices.com/

If you click on the plans, the break down the price that was offered to me was for 5 years / 60k miles

Powertrain - $3200

Silver - $4200

Gold- $5200

Gold Plus - $6200

Platinum - $7200

My local mechanic has had other cars on the Fidelity plan and they worked out well.

The other plan that was about $1000 cheaper was MasterTech.

http://www.mastertechvpp.com/

Anyone had experience using them at all? Do dealers accept them as well as indies?

[kevinkw]

Lastly, I did try something online, the offer was for 3 years, unlimited miles through these guys

http://www.genuinewarranty.com/

The price was $3500 with a $200 deductible, the coverage is about the same as the other gold plus plans.

[kevinkw]

My old trusty 1997 BMW 318ti I drove to 110,000 miles without any major problems aside from the window regulators breaking (driver and passenger side), and the speedo connection being loose after driving around Berkeley potholes for 2 years.

My even older 1987 Cadillac Cimarron lasted without any major issues until 95,000 miles until the entire Corvette style digital instrument cluster went out. At which point a new instrument cluster cost more than the car. It ended up being donated and a shop found a working cluster in a junk yard and fixed it and gave it to a very deserving recent immigrant family.

Are Porsches really less dependable than a 80's GM V6 J platform?

Adding to my additional concern is that one of my co-worker's Boxster S's engine just went out at 50 something, and her husband has been posting here last month trying to figure out a solution.

Edited September 20, 2008 by kevinkw

[td873]

Hey Guys,

I got a call from the dealer that did my PPI and was offered warranty on the 1999 996C4.

The car is at 52k miles, and I plan on driving it until it either it breaks or I decide on more graduate school.

The policy is fidelity, and I have heard good things about them.

The low end policy is $3500, it covers just the power train.

The high end policy is $7200, it is bumper to bumper, both are good for 5 years or 60k miles.

The only thing I am really worried about is the blown engine issue on the 996.

So should I go with the $3500 option, the $7200 option, or none at all?

I think that is slightly overpriced. When I bought my MY00 C2 it had just over 30,000 miles. The bumper-bumper warranty for 5yrs/ up to 100k was less than $3000. Although difficult to deal with, I did have a number of parts replaced under warranty including the engine. I have heard that a number of after market warranties are in this price range. $7200 is (IMO) too much for that warranty - BUT not too much for the peace of mind. You can't put a dollar value on sleeping at night. If it's the only warranty available, and you want one, $7200 is a right price...

If you get the warranty make sure you keep all the records for required maintenance and operate your car within "normal" parameters.

-td

[KevinMac]

Read the fine print, policies may require proof of maintenace before they pay for anything. If this is the case you should ask the question who is required to perform the maintenance, keep records.