Any 4th gens that actually used an extended warranty?

[colorado]

Has anybody actually used their extended warranty for major repairs on a 4th gen? And if so, at what mileage?

I'm close to 36K miles and need to decide real fast if I want the extended warranty. Have been offered what seems a great deal - 6 yr/100K Platinum Plan for $714.

But even at a great price, it's still a waste of money if you don't use it. Our last 4Runner ('98) went 163K miles without anything more than maintenance and some minor brake work. Then again, it didn't have the electronics that the '07 does.

Advice or experience anyone??? Thanks in advance. . .
_____________________
2007 4Runner SR5 4WD

 

[Cruzrtwdgt]

It all depends. Do you have the money in the bank for a major repair? Extended warranties are gambles.

I bought one on a 99 Sable, and it paid for itself in one repair -- the tranny required an overhaul. I got it on my 08 t4r even though I have the money in the bank, simply because I put a lot of miles on the vehicle and want the extended coverage. There is so much on these vehicles that is computer controlled, one repair could easily offset the initial expense, especially if you need a rental car.

I gambled on my 01 Sporttrac and did not get one, luckily I did not need it, but I lived on the edge -- they had numerous issues with the tranny and I was always worried mine would fail. Cost of overhaul would be about 2800.00

Your call in the end, hopefully someone can share their experiences with the T4R.

gerry

 

[Atlanta_man]

I'm money to the good on my extended warranty: sunroof, front door lock solenoids (both sides).

each front door solenoid was close to $400.

minor stuff is major cost

don't even want to think about major stuff

 

[pipspeak]

Buy one if you can get ti that cheap and consider it a small premium on your annual insurance. I got a 75K/6 year for $500 and while I haven't used it at all I realize that just one major repair will make it worthwhile (I'm at 46K now). The 4runner is reliable, no doubt, but does have its weak points -- sunroof, XREAS etc. And like all cars, however, good, there are those random issues others have noted that have a small chance of biting you.

 

[Ryan32]

I just had to take mine into the shop because the locking differential wouldn't engage.....

Well, they had to replace the entire mechanism, as well as the exhaust manifolds were cracked (which i didn't know about)....

It was over $5000.00 worth of work with labor/parts.

I didn't pay a dime, and the 5 days it was in the shop i had a rental car also paid for by my warranty. Well worth it.

 

[Mike07SE]

If you have the cash to spare, DO IT! You have to have insurance to drive your car on the road, right? Think of it the same way. You may or may not ever use it. But one or two repairs will definitely let it pay for itself. As good as the vehicles are, things can and do go wrong, I just don't want to have to pay for it.

 

[charlier180]

I am not a big fan of extended warranties for almost anything.
4Runners have a reputation for being reliable and less trouble-prone than vehicles of the same type.
I purchased the Toyota Platinium 7/75K warranty from Shaun @ Palmiero Toyota.
The cost of around $620 w/tax was a bargain compared to my local dealers for the SAME warranty.
The cost of the warranty I purchased was the deciding factor for me. Had it cost me $1000 to $1200, I probably would not have purchased it.
BTW, I did wait until nearly the end of the factory warranty to purchase the extended warranty.
So far, I have not needed to use the warranty as of now, but should I have to, it is nice to know it is there.
There is almost 3 years left on my warranty so time will tell if I have a repair done under this warranty or not.

 

[loudog2]

I had to have my tensioner and some other things fixed under the extended warranty. Would've cost me over a$1000. Paid $0 with the extended.

 

[jonz]

My 05 SR5 had a door lock go bad at 40K miles, cost me $300. Then a rear end collision messed up the master cylinder / ABS system. That repair was $2400 alone. Other guys insurance paid for that. Then about 8 months after the accident, the evaporator on the AC went out (I think it was related to the collision) and I had to pay $1200 for parts and labor.

I still have the 05 and bought a 08 SE last August. I bought the extended warranty just in case, especially with the added components associated with the 4WD. I belive the T4Rs are rugged and dependable. My bad luck is mostly due toa collision. But I must concede I like the extra piece of muind with the warranty....of cousre the dealers prey on that, I'm sure.

 

[BurghRunner]

I'm didn't take it. If you plan to mod get something extra in writing that says what you've done or plan to do doesn't void the warranty. The dealer tried to push the warranty hard when I bought mine. I asked what would happen when I come in with bigger tires and a small lift and they backed off - they actually advised me against it - a credit to them for being honest.

From experience of friends, just having bigger tires alone will sometimes make the warranty company claim outrageous things like that it caused tranny damage. In my own research I found the fine print on some warranties specifically doesn't cover anything related (and they stretch it) to things caused by "off-highway" driving. That could be a dirt road by their definition.

 

[big04runner]

buy it

If you can get it cheap. I bought one through Shaun on this forum for $700.00.

About a week after the original warranty expired, my driver side door lock needed replacing. The warranty covered a rental car while they had my 4runner over night. Then this year, around 60,000 miles, my passenger side door lock needed replacing.

I was glad to have the warranty to cover those expenses which might have a combined total of $700 so far.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I've not been able to cover the rent car with my use of Shaun's warranty.

What's the magic words ?

 

[Bourbon City]

Like Comp, Collision and Liability auto insurace that you likely pay, the extended warranty is the same as insurance, but you pay it all at once. If you look at it on a per year basis, it is a bargan.

 

[nated05]

I have about 3000 miles left on my 5yr/70,000 mile warranty that I purchased when I bought the car new. I'm still debating on getting another one, since I have had zero issues so far I doubt I will.

 

[riverider]

I have about 3000 miles left on my 5yr/70,000 mile warranty that I purchased when I bought the car new. I'm still debating on getting another one, since I have had zero issues so far I doubt I will.

I guess it really depends on what a person can afford. Many people have had really good results with their warranties, I know one guy it saved him $2,500 when he let a leaking water pump go un repaired and he ended up with over heating and a warped head. But many just like you never needed theirs or they had the repair rejected or they cut the amount covered to very little.

I don't put many miles on any of my Autos and Trucks, so I am putting the amount I feel is Ok for me at $5,000,if any repair in the next five years is around $5K or less I will just pay it. If I see it's going to be a problem truck like the Sorento I traded in on it. Then it's going to be gone quick.:

 

[Mabuse]

When is the initial warranty period officially up?

It's 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first. Is it 3 years from the date of purchase? It's not 3 years from manufacture date is it?

 

[signalbobby]

so what are you guys going to do after 100K? Many warranties charge high for anything over 100K. 4runner has been solid for me. 58K miles now.

 

[Uneek]

When is the initial warranty period officially up?

It's 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first. Is it 3 years from the date of purchase? It's not 3 years from manufacture date is it?

The date it was first sold, not the manufacture date. I think the mileage starts at zero though, so I believe a dealer traded vehicle with 100 miles, leaves the buyer with 35,900 miles of warranty.

 

[signalbobby]

what warranty companies have you guys bought with? Warranty direct looks like they have the best track record. But with me over 50K miles, i no longer can do 100K warranty, and let alone warranty to 91K miles (currently at 54k) is $2000+

 

[shuly]

As everyone says it is a gamble even consumer reports tends to tell people to avoid extended warranties. However, if you have had one and had the need to use it, it was well worth it right?

Ok I am going to assume something here. Say you are close to 36k and I will assume you are at 3 years. You are saying it is about 700 to cover the 4R to 100k. If you drive 12k/yr that would leave you with 5.3 years left on the warranty. For ease of math lets round this down to 5 years.

Ok that means it will cost you for the extended warranty:

140/yr
or
11.66/mo
or
0.39/day

Is it worth it? You spend more per month on your cell phone right? If you pay for monthly insurance through your carrier (I personally don't) it is say 4-6 bucks per month.

Only you can decide if it is worth it, but heck at 40 cents a day...why not?