Got a need for opinions

Just got a letter from GM offering their GM Protection Plan. Didn't get one on mine though we did on Bonnie's.

I'm can't decide if its worth it or not.

Its not cheap but it seams to cover all that I'd want short of maintenance and damage.

I am unsure of the cost away from the dealer.. but I purchased it.. with this being the 1st model year and basically a new untested engine (there have been "like" engines but from what I have read this is a new design) I felt that these two points alone were worth the cost of the added protection.... I would hate to have the engine or transmission fail at 36500 miles...
--David

It is nice in the fact that if something breaks, like a tranny, at 60K then you can go to ANY GM dealer ANYWHERE, and get it repaired as long as you pay your copay. Which depends on which plan you get. Trannies these day run at least 1K for a rebuild. Also, if it is a Goodwrench Service Plus, then there is a lifetime warrany on parts and labor- I have only seen this in reference to alternators, starters, etc. These things are insurance plans on the mechanical and electrical things on your automobile. Usually the dealer gets you up front, so the plan starts that day, overlaping the factory warranty, 3/36000, So you may pay more for the plan if you wait one year.

If you purchase an aftermarket plan, other than Gm/Ford/Chrysler,etc, then the dealer has to go thru them first, which usually takes more time for the repair. I got first hand experience on this one.
This is not the case with the Manufacter Service Plan. Usually they know what is going on, so it gets done ASAP. I believe it is a trust issue.

I paid a bit extra on mine so it is zero deductible and included the interior and exterior condition of the car. That makes it all worthwhile to me. I could easily spend more than the $2000 it cost me to buy it in the 6 years that it covers.

I'm actually going to cancel mine and get a full refund becuase I'm still in the initial 60 days. Going to go with Warranty Direct and save about 60%. the dealer charged me almost $2000.00 plus about $500.00 in Gap Insurance, what ever the heck that is.

The warranty I got was 6 years 100,000 miles. I can get the same thing from Warranty Direct for about $900. have Warranty Direct coverage on a my Tahoe and so far they've paid over $1000.00 in claims and I still got 13000 miles to go! I can go to any ASA service center or to the Chevy dealership.

I feel as if I got riped off by the finance guy at the dealership, plus I didn't take the time to think through the $$$ while he was giving me my montly payment amounts. I was thinking $35/Mo isn't so bad. OK I'll do it! Well the moment I walked out of the dealership my internal calculator kicked in and 35 X 72 = $2,500.00!!! HELL NO!!! fortunatly when I read the fine print it said I could cancel within 60 day and get a full refund.

That's what I'm doing. For what it's worth.

Gap insurance is supposed to make up the difference if you are ever 'upside down' in case of an accident resulting in a 'total' on your vehicle.. Since we paid $10k down, we bypassed the gap.

Personally, it is worth the money for me to be with GM. As Retroburban said above, they will be quicker to handle the problem and there are other benefits as well. And like I said, my zero deductible option makes it worthwhile to me. I don't know if aftermarket plans offer that, and if they do, at what price. I hope I never have to use it. Some will say that makes it wasted money. I call it peace of mind and there is no better spent money in my opinion.

I'm actually going to cancel mine and get a full refund becuase I'm still in the initial 60 days. Going to go with Warranty Direct and save about 60%. the dealer charged me almost $2000.00 plus about $500.00 in Gap Insurance, what ever the heck that is.

The warranty I got was 6 years 100,000 miles. I can get the same thing from Warranty Direct for about $900. have Warranty Direct coverage on a my Tahoe and so far they've paid over $1000.00 in claims and I still got 13000 miles to go! I can go to any ASA service center or to the Chevy dealership.

I feel as if I got riped off by the finance guy at the dealership, plus I didn't take the time to think through the $$$ while he was giving me my montly payment amounts. I was thinking $35/Mo isn't so bad. OK I'll do it! Well the moment I walked out of the dealership my internal calculator kicked in and 35 X 72 = $2,500.00!!! HELL NO!!! fortunatly when I read the fine print it said I could cancel within 60 day and get a full refund.

That's what I'm doing. For what it's worth.

Gap is where the vehicle is paid off, in full if it is damaged beyond repair. Saves your A** if your upside down to begin with!

The finance guy sorta bypassed the gap on us because of our down payment, saying that we would never be upside down. I assumed it was some sort of trade in thing.. I learned something new myself. I better edit my answer so I don't confuse someone else. Thanks for the right answer.

That makes sense. We bought our oldest daughter a new Saturn back in 2002. She was hit by an Airborne Express truck within 3 weeks. Insurance was about $3000 short of payoff! You know I pitched a fit for weeks to everyone at the insurance company but it didn't do any good.. The worst part is that both cars had Allstate insurance. You'd think they would take care of their own better than that... I no longer carry Allstate Insurance. It may have cost me almost $3k to get her a new car, but it cost them insurance premiums on 7 cars and a house every year. Not to mention all the people I tell how bad Allstate sucks.

I see GMPP save people thousands of dollars on a daily basis..........
BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

NEVER, i mean NEVER buy it at their asking price. I have bought a few vehicles and have always had them discount the plan. THE HHR i bought on JUly 4th I wanted the extended warranty. It is 5 yrs. 75,000 miles and covers anything no deduct. They wanted $1299.00 for the warranty and i said WOW, thats seems to high and I jawed back a few times and he said ok I'll sell it to you at my cost $695.00 . (I know thats not his cost but it is a heck of alot cheaper than he started.) SO ask them to sell it to you at their cost since they are already making money on you in the buy.
Hope This Helps.

He told me I was getting the warranty at "employee pricing" right. If that's the case, I don't see much benefit from working at GM. BTW I'm not a GM employee

also, Im not sure I can cancel the gap ins. not sure if I want to. But I will be getting out of the GM warranty, unless they would like to pay me the difference to keep it. Doubt it! The coverages are identical as far as I can tell. At least Warranty Direct details what they cover or don't cover. Funny, I can't seem to find that info (detailed) in the generic paperwork GM sent me or on their web site.

Like I have said in several threads, the extended warranty we bought even covers the seats if my 9 year old daughter spills something and stains the seats. They replace them if they can't get the stain out. If a seagull targets my car and it burns into the paint, they repaint it. Good luck getting Warranty Direct to do that. Now I don't know if you bought the same plan I did, but no aftermarket plan is going to offer coverage that is that indepth, especially with no deductible.

I had a buddy in Nashville who owned a garage where I used to go work on my cars. I remember a kid brought a Jeep Cherokee in with a blown motor an aftermarket warranty. He thought they were going to put a new motor in his Jeep just because he blew the engine. He was shocked when a short block out of a junkyard arrived a couple of weeks later. His dad called the warranty company continuously complaining. They said that all they covered was getting the Jeep running again. Nothing more. I decided then and there that if I ever bought an extended warranty that it would be from the manufacturer.

I say go for it and cancel the warranty you bought if you think it is a good idea. Everyone should do whatever makes them happy. I'm happy with the assurance that GM will be responsible for keeping ours looking and running well.

I'm actually going to cancel mine and get a full refund becuase I'm still in the initial 60 days. ...... plus about $500.00 in Gap Insurance, what ever the heck that is. ......

All I am going to say is... I see day in and day out what having the GAP insurance can say people that finance there auto.... so for $500 is cheap insurance!

All it would take is an un-insured driver to not stop at a light hit you in the back quarter panel and cause your HHR to roll into a ditch... (a true story from last week) leaving you holding the keys of an insurance company totaled auto and an unpaid finance charges of $5000.00++

And that $500.. would of paid off the auto...

--David

:confused: He told me I was getting the warranty at "employee pricing" right. If that's the case, I don't see much benefit from working at GM. BTW I'm not a GM employee

also, Im not sure I can cancel the gap ins. not sure if I want to. But I will be getting out of the GM warranty, unless they would like to pay me the difference to keep it. Doubt it! The coverages are identical as far as I can tell. At least Warranty Direct details what they cover or don't cover. Funny, I can't seem to find that info (detailed) in the generic paperwork GM sent me or on their web site.

As stated before the GM warranty can be used at any GM dealer while the 3rd party warranties 90% of them the repair has to be done at the selling dealer or pre-approved repair shops.... While the GM warranty can be done at any GMC Line dealer and approved 3rd party repair shops as there are a number of non-dealer shops that are GMC approved...

And if you cancel either GAP (which you can do) or exteneded warranty don't expect the funds to go to your pocket as they have to go to pay down the loan first.

:roll:

Not true, you can cancel the warranty and the gap , and you will get the money, in which I have done this, BUT I suggest that you don't cancel the GAP.

i have it, 6yrs/60000 miles and i think it was $1000.

Not true, you can cancel the warranty and the gap , and you will get the money, in which I have done this, ....

I guess that would depend on the sate and financing company.. but most finance companies require that the funds go to pay down the loan...

--David

Can I buy the extended warranty after I have already purchased my HHR? And if I can how do I go about doing it?

yes but it will be more money.

Like I have said in several threads, the extended warranty we bought even covers the seats if my 9 year old daughter spills something and stains the seats. They replace them if they can't get the stain out. If a seagull targets my car and it burns into the paint, they repaint it. Good luck getting Warranty Direct to do that. Now I don't know if you bought the same plan I did, but no aftermarket plan is going to offer coverage that is that indepth, especially with no deductible.

I had a buddy in Nashville who owned a garage where I used to go work on my cars. I remember a kid brought a Jeep Cherokee in with a blown motor an aftermarket warranty. He thought they were going to put a new motor in his Jeep just because he blew the engine. He was shocked when a short block out of a junkyard arrived a couple of weeks later. His dad called the warranty company continuously complaining. They said that all they covered was getting the Jeep running again. Nothing more. I decided then and there that if I ever bought an extended warranty that it would be from the manufacturer.

I say go for it and cancel the warranty you bought if you think it is a good idea. Everyone should do whatever makes them happy. I'm happy with the assurance that GM will be responsible for keeping ours looking and running well.

Songman - where do you find this information. I'm not aware of any warranty covering the seats/paint.

YOU CAN BUY A WARRANTY FROM THE FINANCE MANAGER. they COST MORE MONEY AFTER YOU ALREADY OWN THE CAR. THE ONLY ONE I WOULD BUY IS [B]GMPP[B][B]. GMPP IS A GREAT WARRANTY TO HAVE AND THEY COVER ALMOST EVERYTHING WITH NEW PARTS. THE AFTERMARKET COMPANYS HAVE BEEN KNOW TO USE USED PARTS AND LEAVE THE CUST WITH UNEXPECTED COSTS.

Songman - where do you find this information. I'm not aware of any warranty covering the seats/paint.

Off of the contract I sign to get it. It is called 'Exterior & Interior Environmental Vehicle Protection'. It is good for 6 years from date of purchase with no mileage limitations. I have also been seeing people talk about 6 years/50k miles, 6 years/6ok miles... Mine is 72 months (6 years)/ 72k miles on everything else with zero deductible. We also get free cleaning supplies every 6 months and have unlimited roadside assistance. I don't know if that is part of the plan or is included in all of them.

I am looking at my contract. They have many different coverage plans. Starting from the lowest: MDT-E, MDT-E&T, MDT-PT+, Smart Protection, Basic Guard, Value Guard, and Major Guard. We got the top-of-the-line Major Guard. It was $2400 but in my opinion the peace of mind is worth it.

As I have said in other threads, we bought the cheaper LS becuase we knew we were going to be changing stuff and a lot of stuff that made the LTs, we didn't really want anyway or would be changing. We didn't want chrome, we didn't want roof rails, we didn't want mirror covers, we didn't want fancy wheels, we didn't want 7 speakers, etc... I figure the difference in money was a good investment to put back into protecting the vehicle.

There is really no right or wrong answer here. Maybe the warranty is not for everyone. Do whatever makes you feel the best and be happy with what you have.

Songman - I'm not implying there's a right or wrong answer either. I'm just trying to find out what is covered and what's not so I can make a decision on what to do. Currently the $2,000.00 price tag for an identical product I can get for $900 is something I have to investigate. Keep in mind I've been a customer of Warranty Direct for several years and am very happy with the service I've recieved (from my Chevy dealer using Warranty Direct) for my Tahoe. I'd like to keep my business with them if I can plus save 60%.

I also have Major Guard with 6 year/100,000 miles. w/$100.00 deductable. I don't see any GM plan or add on called "Exterior & Interior Environmental Vehicle Protection". This sounds like a sweet add on and I'd like to find out more about it.

Was this a GM product or was it offered through another warranty company?

Under Major Guard I read the following right off of GM's site, http://www.gmprotectionplan.com/majorguard.html, and here's what is NOT covered:

Non-Covered Parts:


Maintenance services and parts (refer to coverage agreement)
Glass
Lenses
Sealed beams
Light bulbs
Tires
Components not installed by the vehicle manufacturer
Bumpers
Sheet metal
Body panels and parts
Carpet
Hinges
Trim
Upholstery
Convertible or vinyl tops
Molding or bright metal
Air and water leaks
Wind noise
Odors
Weather-strips
Squeaks
Rattles
Paint
Rust
Carburetor
Contaminated fuel system
Exhaust system
Catalytic converter
Brake drums/rotors
Brake pads/shoes
Shock absorbers
Batteries
Spark plugs and wires
Manual clutch disc

Thanks,

Your input is greatly appreciated!

I would say just to ask about the Exterior & Interior Environmental Vehicle Protection. When the sales manager brought me the price originally all of the warranties were included. I told him to take them out. When I got to the finance guy he laid out a sheet with 5 options for warranty. Each was the same but with differing steps of coverage. I got everything other than the gap coverage because of my large down payment. Each one had what was covered and for how long. He left and told me to either initial under the one I wanted or to initial at the bottom to decline all of them. I chose the one with the extra protection for the paint and upholstery. Before I initialed I asked him to explain. He gave the examples I cited above. Enough for me.

So I really can't answer your question other than to say you should ask about it.

I’m going in tomorrow morning sign the final paper work and to pick up my ‘06 HHR. I’m happy with the price, the car I’m getting and how I’ve been treated so far.

The extended warranty I was offered or am considering is 6 years/60,000 miles. It’s called, in the booklet, the “Premium Care” warranty with two other warrantys that cost less/cover less, called “Custom Care” and “Power Train Care”

With the Premium Care the only things NOT covered are (somewhat) obvious wearable parts. Maintenance service and related parts, brake pads, etc. Too many to list, but they all seem to be small stuff, relatively.

The thing that seemed good to me was that you didn’t have to go to a Dealership to get the repairs done. If you’re away from home or not near a dealer you can go to any garage with ASE Certified mechanics. (I guess anyone who’s been certified by and has the Blue Seal of Excellence from the “National Institute of Automotive Excellence” (ase.com))

I’m not nor have ever been an automotive mechanic so I dunno if this is bunk or not.

He rattled off a bunch of other stuff about compatibility with GM mechanics wages/billing time etc., meaning that the mechanics will get the going rate.

Since this is a first year car I feel I could use the peace of mind.

The offer for the Premium Care 6yr/60,000 mile warranty was 1,500 I choked and lowered it around 1,400 with a $100 deductable.

It still seems high to me. I wish I knew how much profit he’s making.

I’m going in tomorrow morning sign the final paper work and to pick up my ‘06 HHR. I’m happy with the price, the car I’m getting and how I’ve been treated so far.

The extended warranty I was offered or am considering is 6 years/60,000 miles. It’s called, in the booklet, the “Premium Care” warranty with two other warrantys that cost less/cover less, called “Custom Care” and “Power Train Care”

With the Premium Care the only things NOT covered are (somewhat) obvious wearable parts. Maintenance service and related parts, brake pads, etc. Too many to list, but they all seem to be small stuff, relatively.

The thing that seemed good to me was that you didn’t have to go to a Dealership to get the repairs done. If you’re away from home or not near a dealer you can go to any garage with ASE Certified mechanics. (I guess anyone who’s been certified by and has the Blue Seal of Excellence from the “National Institute of Automotive Excellence” (ase.com))

I’m not nor have ever been an automotive mechanic so I dunno if this is bunk or not.

He rattled off a bunch of other stuff about compatibility with GM mechanics wages/billing time etc., meaning that the mechanics will get the going rate.

Since this is a first year car I feel I could use the peace of mind.

The offer for the Premium Care 6yr/60,000 mile warranty was 1,500 I choked and lowered it around 1,400 with a $100 deductable.

It still seems high to me. I wish I knew how much profit he’s making.


WOW, $1500 for 60K. You may be getting ripped.
I bought the `05 Sierra new with the Employee pricing thing, and I was offered a 100k warrant thru Gm for $1500. Dealer finance guy said it was employee pricing too. He even showed me some kind of book. $ 2200 for the same later in life as long as I was under 25k.

On my wife's we paid about that ($1800) for 7/100,000 with no deductable. This was for GM's most extensive coverage. The dealer offered nothing for exterior or interior. I think we're going to go with GM's on mine.

I've been really put off by Warranty Direct. I got an online quote and everyday since, they have called me. I tell them each time to stop calling but they don't listen and just start into their sales pitch.

I think for me, I'll rest easier having a GM plan. Especially with it being a first year model.

I could be wrong but I believe there is a provision that if there aren't any GM dealers in the area, you can take it to a ASE shop. Please let me know if I'm wrong about this!

On my wife's we paid about that ($1800) for 7/100,000 with no deductable. This was for GM's most extensive coverage. The dealer offered nothing for exterior or interior. I think we're going to go with GM's on mine.

I've been really put off by Warranty Direct. I got an online quote and everyday since, they have called me. I tell them each time to stop calling but they don't listen and just start into their sales pitch.

I think for me, I'll rest easier having a GM plan. Especially with it being a first year model.

I could be wrong but I believe there is a provision that if there aren't any GM dealers in the area, you can take it to a ASE shop. Please let me know if I'm wrong about this!


Yes, the salesman told me the same thing about being able to take it to an ASE shop.

On my wife's we paid about that ($1800) for 7/100,000 with no deductable. This was for GM's most extensive coverage. The dealer offered nothing for exterior or interior. I think we're going to go with GM's on mine.

I've been really put off by Warranty Direct. I got an online quote and everyday since, they have called me. I tell them each time to stop calling but they don't listen and just start into their sales pitch.

I think for me, I'll rest easier having a GM plan. Especially with it being a first year model.

I could be wrong but I believe there is a provision that if there aren't any GM dealers in the area, you can take it to a ASE shop. Please let me know if I'm wrong about this!

I avoided the phone calls by giving a bogus number. All they want is your email to send a quote within seconds.

Still haven't been to the dealer to "discuss" my plan. I've got about 30 days to cancel. It'll most likley get credited to my loan if I cancel and that's OK. That will allow me to cancel the gap protection too if I can as the risk of being upside down is small with the 0%:nuts: and the $2,800.00 downpayment ($1,000.00 dealer discount:bow: , $1,000.00 GM Card rebate:D and $800.00 Trade:roll: ) I gave.