Dealerships that offer "lifetime warranties" - legit or just marketing BS?

[DianaVT-CA]

I recently purchased as many warranties as possible, may have been overkill

I am about a month into my new 2020 TRD off road and I purchased all the warranties that I was able to, include the dent and scratch warranty package, extended OEM tire coverage as well as a10 year or 100k extended warranty and coverage that covers beyond the manufactures warranty. I knew it might have been over kill but I got in the car the next day and drove 3.5k miles to Vermont and had been looking for used Runner for 3 weeks and just kept finding ones with issues I didn't have the time or mental capacity to deal with

(I also have a 2nd Gen 93' and it has caused me significant headaches over the years-but also probably saved my life a few times too, and wish I had purchased the warranties back in the 90's, but I can't seem to remember if there were any at that time.)

The one thing that I liked was that I can transfer my extended warranty and maintenance packages I purchased once with the vehicle and if I sell them before their expiration I am entitled to a pro-rated payout and the work does not have to be at them but one of their other location. They have 14 in the bay area CA(Not all Toyota though)

First time on this forum so please be kind

 

[optimista]

Sent from my SM-N975U1 auto clicker word unscrambler jumble solver using Tapatalk

 

[Meherg]

Can you do the maintenance yourself and save receipts as proof, or do you have to have a receipt from a certified shop ? Just purchased 2020 4runner Venture last week with LifeTime Warranty !

 

[crocoyes5]

This is part gimmick and part value-added feature depending on how long you keep your car. Often a “lifetime powertrain warranty” really means 100,000 miles so you need to look at the fine print, but sometimes dealers really offer to cover your engine and transmission for as long as you own the car.

 

[Thai]

Jeep lifetime bumper to bumper warranty works like this...

Once your repair bill is higher than the cost of your car, then the warranty company (whoever that is) will "total" your car. They will write you a check for the value of your car and tow your car away.

So, no, they will not keep repairing your car forever. Once your car value dips below repair cost, they write you a check and be done with you.

I have lifetime oil changes and tire rotation on my Land Cruiser. I will see how this plays out...i am pretty sure that i have to do service with the dealer to get these "benefits".

 

[LandCruiser]

We will offer you a lifetime warranty if you do ALL the maintenance WE recommend at OUR dealership, no, not the stuff the manufacturer deems necessary. All the bullshit like AC refreshing and nitrogen in the tires that we charge you 200 bucks to do and costs us nothing.

Oh, and you have to do all maintenance here...
and it's only valid as long as we say it is...
and it's only valid at Toyota of Decatur, we underwent a change in management and now we're Decatur Toyota--totally different company, but we can sell you an extension for $1500.
and it's subject to approval. We don't think your transmission should be covered.

 

[LandCruiser]

Jeep lifetime bumper to bumper warranty works like this...

Once your repair bill is higher than the cost of your car, then the warranty company (whoever that is) will "total" your car. They will write you a check for the value of your car and tow your car away.

So, no, they will not keep repairing your car forever. Once your car value dips below repair cost, they write you a check and be done with you.

I have lifetime oil changes and tire rotation on my Land Cruiser. I will see how this plays out...i am pretty sure that i have to do service with the dealer to get these "benefits".

That's just the dealer's way of placating you for getting shit service when you bring in a 90k vehicle in when other cars that cost that kind of money come with luxury concierge service, home pickup and delivery, hand wash, and a courtesy car. The LC will get the same treatment as the 15 year old rusted Corolla at the hands of their newest tech.

 

[Thai]

That's just the dealer's way of placating you for getting shit service when you bring in a 90k vehicle in when other cars that cost that kind of money come with luxury concierge service, home pickup and delivery, hand wash, and a courtesy car. The LC will get the same treatment as the 15 year old rusted Corolla at the hands of their newest tech.

Sure...so far, they have done everything that i ask (and nothing more). I have marked my tires and oil cap with every visit.

 

[LandCruiser]

Sure...so far, they have done everything that i ask (and nothing more). I have marked my tires and oil cap with every visit.

Let's hope so.

A certain dealership in Mobile just reskinned the driver's seat on mom's 2018 TLC because their tech didn't put a cover on the seat when driving it into service...

 

[ssgbunny]

Kind of off topic / side note but I got the tire and wheel warranty last year on a 2019 4runner and used it twice, so it paid for itself.

 

[shadow247]

Let's hope so.

A certain dealership in Mobile just reskinned the driver's seat on mom's 2018 TLC because their tech didn't put a cover on the seat when driving it into service...

As they should have! Stuff happens. The measure of a shop is how often does that kind of stuff happen, and what do they do about it? If it's rare, and they step up, I will likely go back. If it happens all the time when I go there, I may be less inclined to return after the 2nd goodwill repair.....

I have seen customer cars crashed, set on fire, falling off lifts, scraping buildings, spilling fluids in the vehicle, etc.....it's all part of the experience...

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I am about a month into my new 2020 TRD off road and I purchased all the warranties that I was able to, include the dent and scratch warranty package, extended OEM tire coverage as well as a10 year or 100k extended warranty and coverage that covers beyond the manufactures warranty. I knew it might have been over kill but I got in the car the next day and drove 3.5k miles to Vermont and had been looking for used Runner for 3 weeks and just kept finding ones with issues I didn't have the time or mental capacity to deal with

(I also have a 2nd Gen 93' and it has caused me significant headaches over the years-but also probably saved my life a few times too, and wish I had purchased the warranties back in the 90's, but I can't seem to remember if there were any at that time.)

The one thing that I liked was that I can transfer my extended warranty and maintenance packages I purchased once with the vehicle and if I sell them before their expiration I am entitled to a pro-rated payout and the work does not have to be at them but one of their other location. They have 14 in the bay area CA(Not all Toyota though)

First time on this forum so please be kind

4Runners with issues are rare. What issues did all of these 4Runners have that dissuaded you?

 

[flisterten]

If you’re looking for Renewal by Andersen windows reviews you came to the right place. If you’re in the business of selling Renewal by Andersen windows you’re probably not going to be thrilled with what you read here. forpc.onl jiofi.local.html

 

[lewdog998]

Funny story about extended warranties....I bought one (limited time, unlimited mileage) for a Mercedes E550 as i figured it would be costly to repair if it ever required it.
It was a biturbo v8, 4matic (all wheel drive). I had it tuned very early in its life by Weistech engineering. Their specs said it was good for 540hp and 715lbs tq
Mercedes Benz AMG M278 ECU Tune E550 S550| Weistec

I put 140k miles of HARD driving on this thing (not abusive, but hard).....this thing was a beast, the only thing that I never walked away from was a v10 R8.

Anyways, my money was wasted on the extended warranty, not ONE thing ever broke on that car. I don't recall any warranty work period. Had I not bought the warranty, it probably would have blown the trans. anyways, sometimes a warranty is just piece of mind.

 

[Elvir555]

This sounds like a good deal, wondering what the terms and limitations are too.

 

[swampdodo]

Funny story about extended warranties....I bought one (limited time, unlimited mileage) for a Mercedes E550 as i figured it would be costly to repair if it ever required it.
It was a biturbo v8, 4matic (all wheel drive). I had it tuned very early in its life by Weistech engineering. Their specs said it was good for 540hp and 715lbs tq
Mercedes Benz AMG M278 ECU Tune E550 S550| Weistec

I put 140k miles of HARD driving on this thing (not abusive, but hard).....this thing was a beast, the only thing that I never walked away from was a v10 R8.

Anyways, my money was wasted on the extended warranty, not ONE thing ever broke on that car. I don't recall any warranty work period. Had I not bought the warranty, it probably would have blown the trans. anyways, sometimes a warranty is just piece of mind.

It is the 'umbrella effect'...bring an umbrella, it doesn't rain...forget to bring it, the great flood...

 

[potatofries]

As others have noted, my suspicion is they've done all the financial calculations and between doing all the interim work/servicing and the fact it covers only the first owner, they make a handsome profit on 90% of buyers.

The 10% for whom this sort of warranty might work are those who plan to own 15 or more years and do nothing that might void the warranty (such as mods).

But even then, if it's 10 or 15 years before it really pays dividends, you may have been better off investing that money and having it available to buy a used 4runner. when current one meets end of life.

 

[lewdog998]

FWIW
The dealer I bought my 20 TRDP promotes a lifetime drivetrain warranty for original buyer, and honored by any toyota dealer. That being said they still had the best price on my truck (bought through a dealer trade). Bottom line, if pricing was equal, I would buy from them....if you are are paying extra, i might just do a little more digging. In my case it did not cost me anything extra, and it is my closest dealer.

 

[newt0n]

My dealership offers it for "free", their terms are pretty reasonable. You can get the maint. done from anywhere as long as you keep the receipts for proof, etc. It seemed solid enough for me to pick them over the other local dealerships. I'm still getting a good deal as well on the vehicle(s) I have priced out so far as well

 

[ElectroBoy]

So much for lifetime warranties, lol.

That link now just shows a 36 month oil change coverage.