Has anyone purchased a maintenance plan recently?

[Lakersfreak]

I just picked up my manual GT PP and I did end up buying the extended warranty and now considering purchasing the maintenance plan.

I was quoted 5 years/ 60,000 miles at 5k intervals oil change for $1,995, at 7.5k intervals $1,580, and

6 years/ 75,000 miles at 5k intervals $2500, and at 7.5k intervals $1975

Forgot to ask about the 5 year, but with the 6 year I get 10 oil changes at 7.5k intervals and 15 at 5k intervals.

Each oil change is about $130, so as an example $130 x 10 = $1,300 which is $675 less than the 6 year 7.5k interval maintenance plan, however I would also get air filters, in cabin filters, tire rotations, wiper blades, etc.... plus they'll drop and pick me up from home. I'm trying to gauge if it's worth it. I will not do anything myself so I will likely be taking to dealership for maintenance regardless of plan or not. What are your thoughts on the maintenance plan?

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[Skye]

If I'm reading your post correctly, they will not be following the Oil Life Monitor, but tracking oil changes by mileage? How many oil changes do you think you'll have done each year?

Engine air filter will be once every 30,000 mi / 48,000 km.

Cabin filter will be once every 20,000 mi / 32,000 km.

Tire Rotations, brake and suspension checks should be done once a year. I cannot say how much any shop would charge to do a rotation by itself. Typically, tire rotations are free with an oil change at the dealer of $130 or so (pricing often varies by zip code or location). "The Works" (oil change, tire rotation, inspection, fluid top-off).

I'd sit down and do the math on the following three scenarios:

1. Oil changes at the dealer, "The Works", following the maintenance schedule and your expected mileage. This should get you oil change, tire rotation and fluid check. It's expected the air and cabin filter will be done by yourself; these are simple though. If you can clean or change the filter in a vacuum, you can do it on your car.

2. You've already got quotes on the formal plan from the dealer. Consider out of that total price, the credit, how much you'd use. If driving 10,000 mi a year, you might get good use from that plan. If the car is a weekend and Holiday car, the dealer might make out.

For Option One and Two, confirm the oil used. In most plans it'll be Motorcraft synthetic blend, a dino/synthetic mix; this oil is used in millions of Ford engines and meets specifications. But if you prefer a full synthetic oil, you might pay more. Also, confirm the amount of oil paid for. The base price could include up to 5/4.7 or 8/7.5 quarts/liters, while the Coyote will use 10Q / 9.4L.

3. See if there is a local mechanic or speed shop in the area, a fellow enthusiast. Someone that does good, general mechanical work you could trust. Dealers are expensive. Most of the general maintenance is done by the recent hires, with tenured and specialist folks performing more difficult tasks. Returning to the enthusiast, see what they'd want to support the maintenance schedule, based on your mileage. Some shops, they'll have their own oil and filters. Others, you can bring your own and simply pay them to replace. For record keeping, hold the receipts, with the date, mileage, etc.

Meaningful intangibles include trust of the group performing the work, any anxiety or concerns, the upsell and the overall happiness factor. If you know one location will do good work, you're comfortable being with them, that's value worth paying for. You might save a buck with the other group, but if they're scratching your paint, leaving muddy shoe prints in the carpet and doing a sloppy job, taking the vehicle there might not be worthwhile. Regarding the upsell; that's a PITA. I suspect each time you're at the dealer, they'll tell you the car is on the verge of falling apart, needing a lot of repairs. I don't want, need that. I just want the oil changed, with an attentive tech pointing out any areas of concern.

 

[Zig]

Nationwide or local?

 

[Killshot58]

I just picked up my manual GT PP and I did end up buying the extended warranty and now considering purchasing the maintenance plan.

I was quoted 5 years/ 60,000 miles at 5k intervals oil change for $1,995, at 7.5k intervals $1,580, and

6 years/ 75,000 miles at 5k intervals $2500, and at 7.5k intervals $1975

Forgot to ask about the 5 year, but with the 6 year I get 10 oil changes at 7.5k intervals and 15 at 5k intervals.

Each oil change is about $130, so as an example $130 x 10 = $1,300 which is $675 less than the 6 year 7.5k interval maintenance plan, however I would also get air filters, in cabin filters, tire rotations, wiper blades, etc.... plus they'll drop and pick me up from home. I'm trying to gauge if it's worth it. I will not do anything myself so I will likely be taking to dealership for maintenance regardless of plan or not. What are your thoughts on the maintenance plan?

Speaking from experience, I wouldn't do it. The first one I purchased, I bought all of the warranty coverage because it seemed like a good deal. However, it was very expensive. I admit it was a mistake. I canceled what I could and recouped a good bit of it, but it was a big time pain to get it back.
When I purchased the 2nd car, I didn't purchase any type of warranty and I feel like that was the right decision. Be careful.

 

[Illini4]

Extended warranties, maintenance plans, etc. are almost always a waste of money. They are very profitable for the seller, which means most of what you pay them stays in their pocket. Best to pay as you go.

 

[Lakersfreak]

If I'm reading your post correctly, they will not be following the Oil Life Monitor, but tracking oil changes by mileage? How many oil changes do you think you'll have done each year?

Engine air filter will be once every 30,000 mi / 48,000 km.

Cabin filter will be once every 20,000 mi / 32,000 km.

Tire Rotations, brake and suspension checks should be done once a year. I cannot say how much any shop would charge to do a rotation by itself. Typically, tire rotations are free with an oil change at the dealer of $130 or so (pricing often varies by zip code or location). "The Works" (oil change, tire rotation, inspection, fluid top-off).

I'd sit down and do the math on the following three scenarios:

1. Oil changes at the dealer, "The Works", following the maintenance schedule and your expected mileage. This should get you oil change, tire rotation and fluid check. It's expected the air and cabin filter will be done by yourself; these are simple though. If you can clean or change the filter in a vacuum, you can do it on your car.

2. You've already got quotes on the formal plan from the dealer. Consider out of that total price, the credit, how much you'd use. If driving 10,000 mi a year, you might get good use from that plan. If the car is a weekend and Holiday car, the dealer might make out.

For Option One and Two, confirm the oil used. In most plans it'll be Motorcraft synthetic blend, a dino/synthetic mix; this oil is used in millions of Ford engines and meets specifications. But if you prefer a full synthetic oil, you might pay more. Also, confirm the amount of oil paid for. The base price could include up to 5/4.7 or 8/7.5 quarts/liters, while the Coyote will use 10Q / 9.4L.

3. See if there is a local mechanic or speed shop in the area, a fellow enthusiast. Someone that does good, general mechanical work you could trust. Dealers are expensive. Most of the general maintenance is done by the recent hires, with tenured and specialist folks performing more difficult tasks. Returning to the enthusiast, see what they'd want to support the maintenance schedule, based on your mileage. Some shops, they'll have their own oil and filters. Others, you can bring your own and simply pay them to replace. For record keeping, hold the receipts, with the date, mileage, etc.

Meaningful intangibles include trust of the group performing the work, any anxiety or concerns, the upsell and the overall happiness factor. If you know one location will do good work, you're comfortable being with them, that's value worth paying for. You might save a buck with the other group, but if they're scratching your paint, leaving muddy shoe prints in the carpet and doing a sloppy job, taking the vehicle there might not be worthwhile. Regarding the upsell; that's a PITA. I suspect each time you're at the dealer, they'll tell you the car is on the verge of falling apart, needing a lot of repairs. I don't want, need that. I just want the oil changed, with an attentive tech pointing out any areas of concern.

1) the "premium" plan includes all necessary maintenance during the allotted time. I would love to price out the entire maintenance for 6 years changing the oil every 5,000 miles so I can compare. I will not doing anything myself, including changing air and cabin filters.

2) it's my daily driver, and will drive about 10,000 miles a year. Ford is offering 0% for 30 months, so the amount will not be added to my car loan.

3) this is what I am concerned about most....I was originally thinking taking it to a Ford dealership would be best, but I've been reading otherwise. I guess finding a local trustworthy mechanic would be best option.

 

[Lakersfreak]

Nationwide or local?

assuming you're referring to getting my car maintained nationwide with the plan, I'm not sure, but I don't think that would be necessary. The plan does cover me at any local Ford dealership though.

 

[Lakersfreak]

Speaking from experience, I wouldn't do it. The first one I purchased, I bought all of the warranty coverage because it seemed like a good deal. However, it was very expensive. I admit it was a mistake. I canceled what I could and recouped a good bit of it, but it was a big time pain to get it back.
When I purchased the 2nd car, I didn't purchase any type of warranty and I feel like that was the right decision. Be careful.

I bought extended warranty cause this is the first year of this generation and was concerned things may start to go wrong down the road. But you're right I will probably regret it in 6 years when I look back at paying $2,400 and not using the warranty one time.

 

[Killshot58]

I bought extended warranty cause this is the first year of this generation and was concerned things may start to go wrong down the road. But you're right I will probably regret it in 6 years when I look back at paying $2,400 and not using the warranty one time.

That makes sense, but I decided to roll the dice and hope nothing happens.

 

[rockman 2738]

Check with Granger Ford. You'll get a better price. I purchased both plans for 10 years, 100,000 miles. My back is screwed up and I can't do much maintenance myself anymore. I'm 79 and this may well be my last car. I paid less for both plans than my dealer wanted for one plan.

 

[Lakersfreak]

Check with Granger Ford. You'll get a better price. I purchased both plans for 10 years, 100,000 miles. My back is screwed up and I can't do much maintenance myself anymore. I'm 79 and this may well be my last car. I paid less for both plans than my dealer wanted for one plan.

unfortunately I live in the great state of CA ...I'm not allowed to purchase outside my state cause the state loves to control my spending.

 

[rockman 2738]

unfortunately I live in the great state of CA ...I'm not allowed to purchase outside my state cause the state loves to control my spending.

You might want to get a quote from Granger and use the price as a bargaining chip with your dealerships. It's $25 over dealer cost. My dealer kept telling me that that price was below his cost and I could never get that cheap. He lied.

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