hansen (02/11/83)
I would warn you to read the "service contract" very carefully. They have an amazing array of exceptions under which they will not pay; common exceptions are gasket failure, additional failures caused by failure of covered parts. You must also be sure to retain all records of scheduled maintenance services, and could possibly get into problems if you perform the maintenance yourself. Don't make the mistake of assuming that a service contract is some sort of "extended warrantee." Craig Hansen HP Labs
jlw (02/12/83)
I have just bought my first auto extended service policy for about the same amount ~400 as mentioned in the leader article. The reason I did this being a fair jackleg mechanic is the fact that the car is a turbo and I don't yet trust it. Otherwise I'd steer clear of this type of contract. Joe Wood ariel!jlw
iy47ab (02/15/83)
Service contracts can be more trouble then they are worth. I would only enter into one if I really didn't feel I or my mechanic could handle the car; as in the case of the turbo mentioned above (although it would depend on the turbocharger used in my case). As a rule: AVOID. They are very difficult to collect on; they always give you the runaround; and if you have so much as touched your car they bring out all the little clauses about negligence and other mechanics. Also, the work is often inferior, and it's near-impossible to get them to redo anything. Ugh. Only if extremely desperate (if you KNOW you have a lemon). Most of the routine work you'll need done isn't even covered. Lady Arwen of U.C.S.D.