Are electronic warranties really worth it?

I’m almost done with the paperwork, and they’re trying to get me to add an electronic warranty for an extra $90 a month. I’m on a budget, so I’m not sure if it’s really worth it. Do electronics in cars fail often enough to justify the cost?

$90 a month is wild… don’t take it

Dacey said:
$90 a month is wild… don’t take it

Yeah, and that’s $90 for 86 months!

Flynt said:

Dacey said:
$90 a month is wild… don’t take it

Yeah, and that’s $90 for 86 months!

That’s $7,740 over time! Just save that money, and if anything does happen, you’ll have more than enough to cover it without spending nearly 8k.

And if your loan is 86 months, consider GAP insurance. It’ll protect you from negative equity. Plus, that $7.7k saved can cover anything that might come up due to negative equity.

Flynt said:

Dacey said:
$90 a month is wild… don’t take it

Yeah, and that’s $90 for 86 months!

$7,000+ total? That’s just nuts.

Don’t get an extra warranty just for electronics.

Is it a new or used vehicle? If it’s new, the factory warranty should already cover it. Never add extra warranty costs to your loan. If it’s used, check into separate warranties online to see if they’re any better.

@Reese
Thanks, that’s what I was thinking too… $90 for 86 months seemed a bit much.

Is there an option for a shorter-term warranty? Like 36 months? If you want, you can wait until the bumper-to-bumper warranty’s close to expiring and then consider an extended warranty. Save up in the meantime and get the warranty later if you’re planning to keep the car long term.

@Charlie
Good advice. If you’re still covered by the original warranty, no point in doubling up. Save the cash and get an extended warranty later if you need it. I paid around $2,500 for a 10-year, 120,000-mile warranty with electronics coverage, but I plan to keep the car that long.

@Charlie
I’m buying a used 2022 with 33k miles, and they’re asking $90 a month for 86 months for the electronics warranty.

Flynt said:
@Charlie
I’m buying a used 2022 with 33k miles, and they’re asking $90 a month for 86 months for the electronics warranty.

If you’re financing a used car for 86 months and getting upsold that much, maybe look for another dealership or vehicle within your budget. This deal sounds a bit off.

Flynt said:
@Charlie
I’m buying a used 2022 with 33k miles, and they’re asking $90 a month for 86 months for the electronics warranty.

I bought a used Bronco Sport with 55k miles and got the extended bumper-to-bumper warranty for $3k covering 60k miles. Already used it once for an electronic issue. $7,740 seems high, but an extended warranty might be helpful.

I’d skip it.

Check online for warranty packages—Granger Ford has some options, I think. You’ll find a platinum package up to 100,000 miles or 10 years for around $3k. If you add it to a loan, you’re just paying double.

Three and a half years, 30k miles on my Outer Banks, and no electronic issues except for a burnt-out taillight.

Electronics are known to fail here and there in most cars, but $90 a month is too much for a warranty on just that.

Better to get a warranty from a Ford dealer online with minimal markup, like Granger Ford. They show prices on their site, and the dealer should be able to match it (some won’t negotiate, though).

Had my sunroof motor fail under 12k miles on my ‘24 Outer Banks, and the initial warranty covered it. Ended up getting an extended warranty through Granger Ford—under $2k for 5 years or 125k miles.