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Maxcare opinions

100K views 517 replies 135 participants last post by  Rtt78 
#1 ·
So I need all of your help… I have a 2014 JGC V-8… small problems here and there but nothing major. I’ve blown through my 36k mile warranty and have been contemplating a lifetime max care warranty. ~$2500 is a lot of money to gamble on this Jeep and I’m having a hard time accepting this expense. I’m going to be putting even more miles on it as my commute to work is increasing in the coming months. Is this a smart purchase? I know it would give me a great piece of mind but I’m afraid all my repairs will be washed out when I have to pay my $100 deductible. What would the Jeep Garage community do? Any and all comments are appreciated.


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#3 ·
Are you sure about the price? There is a substantial price increase if you have over x miles or x months/years on the vehicle. The first such hurdle is 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Being 2 years and over 36,000 miles might not even be available at all, or only at a very dear price.

Do you have QL? A compressor alone is between $2k and $3k.

If you plan on keeping the vehicle for several years I think it's worth it, with all the tech that's on the vehicle. But not if it is much more than the price you quoted.
 
#5 ·
So I have a limited, but did not end up getting the tech package(Acc and so on)... I checked with Zeigler and before I'm over 48 k I should be fine. The closer I get to 48k the higher my price will go. I have the standard sunroof, 8.5 screen with nav. but nothing else fancy.


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#6 · (Edited)
In the past, I never bought extended service contracts or warranties. On anything.

That's changed. I have one on our expensive refrigerator and I have the Mopar MaxCare Lifetime Extended Service Contract on my JGC. While I'll not likely keep it beyond 5-6 years, I put on a lot of mileage and blew through my factory warranty in less than two years. The "lifetime" was the only way to be sure that I'd have coverage for my "ownership lifetime" of the vehicle and it's already paid for itself. I bough from Ziegler. At the time, with the $100 deductible, it was $2180. Prices have increased since then, but the contracts are still available from various sources for far less than many local dealers will sell them for. Since any authorized dealer service department will service your JGC, cost for the contract is a good way to choose where to buy it.

(The refrigerator contract has paid for itself, too...go figure... ;) )
 
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#7 · (Edited)
I went to Zeigler and got a quote for you 2014 with 36000 miles $100 deductible came to $2,665.00. I purchased mine when my Jeep was new. It was something around $2150.00. My Jeep is still under factory warranty but the service contract paid for rentals in excess of 25 days total. Considering I've been through 3 radios, needed a new antenna and had the rear AC vent repaired. Plus going in next week because of the fuel cover being out of alignment. I can't imagine what this would all cost out of pocket. If you plan on keeping your Jeep I would get it. I have a feeling it's going to pay for itself and more in the long run.
 
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#8 ·
My personal view is that the Maxcare warranty is one of the most compelling reason to buy a Jeep. No other car company gives you the chance to buy a comparable warranty that is unlimited mileage. For those of us that drive their vehicles for 200k+ miles, it is pure gold.

The other side of that is that if you intend to sell the vehicle, getting a high mile but transferable warranty will definitely increase resale value.

I'm actually about to use my warranty @ 70k miles to pay for a busted heated seat element. Originally, the quoted cost was $850, plus 2 days of car rental. Now, as usual customer service here is crap so initially the dealer tried to say it wasn't covered by the warranty, then I had to call Chrysler, then I had to get back to the dealer and get them to agree that it was covered. Still, it is ultimately nearly $800 saved from this one (relatively minor) issue. A few more similar issues and I break even. And if my air suspension, engine, or any other major component went then it would immediately pay for itself and likely then some.

Basically, these cars are expensive, somewhat unreliable and repairs are expensive. I can't imagine getting one without the warranty.
 
#9 ·
I was able to get Chrysler to give me the lifetime maxcare (zero deductible) added to my VIN at n/c when i was swapped out of my '14 and into my '15. There would be no chance at all of me keeping this truck after the lease was up, but now i may think twice knowing I'm covered for as long as i own it.


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#10 ·
I bought the maxcare lifetime with 100 deductable for my 2015 Overland.

Too much electronics, QL, and new 8spd.

PLus I keep my cars for years, so for piece of mind I ponied up the 2400, dealer cost was 2100.

I am friends with a couple techs at local store where I bought it and they said it is the smartest thing to do. Lets say you have 200k miles and it needs new wheel bearings, u-joints, perhaps an altenator or starter any wear parts you will more than get your money back!
 
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#11 ·
For me..it was the same..will on the options that could go bad no brainer when 6/36 ran out. Few months after I got my the QL went (bad compressor) it was over $2K to fix and thank goodness for the 6/36 warranty. Seeing this i got from my dealer 2 year un-limited miles MaxCare Plus for about 900. For the next two years I should be good then I will see what I do, might trade in for a newer one.
 
#13 ·
I drive a LOT. I had the MaxCare on my last jeep. (2012 Wrangler). Like you, I blew through the pathetic 36k mile factory warranty in the first 9 months. and went to relying on my maxcare warranty.

I ended up using it several times.

I just traded my Wrangler for my Shiny new 2015 Summit. My Wrangler had 135,000 miles.

In the 2 years and 99,000 miles that I relied exclusively on the MaxCare Warranty...that $2300 investment (that I purchased from chryslerwarranties.com 9 months after buying the vehicle and financed with reasonable payments) covered nearly $9,000 worth of misc repairs here and there. SOME of which were not mechanical failures. The warranty replaced my fuel tank TWICE. It replaced my 430N stereo three times. And since the "stereo" is now the entire central nervous system for my Jeep....I bet its gonna be pricey.

In short. The MaxCare is BY FAR....the wisest financial move I've EVER made. I am so pleased with it that I have narrowed my vehicle purchase options to only FCA candidates since they are the only manufacturers that I know of that offer something like MaxCare.

And with all of the gizmos and gadgets on this new JGC....especially the Summit....I think I would be insane not to have the peace of mind of knowing that Im covered.

MaxCare isnt perfect....it does not cover EVERYTHING. I had to pay $1700 for two Catalytic converters 2 weeks before I traded my Wrangler.

But what it does cover...make it WELL worth the price....in my opinion.

V.
 
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#14 ·
i would ask you dealerwhat they deal with before i bought you might be able to get a mopar warranty from the dealer some of those warranties you have to pay first then get money back ,my buddie had one in the 1998 and it was a bitch getting refunded after you paid out the cash. just a note to watch for this
 
#16 ·
I am a heavy driver, 30K+ per year, with a plan to keep the Keep until I am forced to get something new. Purchasing the Maxcare was a no brainier. For the money it will be paid for typically after 1 or 2 repairs.

My previous Jeep (2004 Liberty) did not have the Maxcare. Over the 6 years I owned her I dished out easily 5-7K for repairs and such.


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#17 ·
While I agree with what everyone has said about post warranty expenses, I only opted for the 6/100 warranty at appx 1300.00. I have had many new vehicles that I swore I would have for "life". But proven history has shown that those vehicles leave the stable around the 6 yr mark for me. I either tire of them, Something quantum better comes out, give them to my kids, or God forbid it gets totaled.
As fast as technology is moving now, anything over 4-6 yrs old will be a dinosaur by 2020. While the warranty may help you sell it, I don't think it will bring you much cold hard cash on the table.....
The main good it will do is the "good" or peace of mind it gives you while you own it....
 
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#18 ·
While buying a MaxCare extended service contract for the time and mileage that you are going to drive that vehicle makes sense, for some of us that only intend to keep our vehicle for 5-6 years, but put on a lot of miles, the "lifetime" version is the real deal because of the "unlimited" mileage. I blew through the OEM warranty in far less time than three years and the continued coverage that the lifetime contract brings has paid for itself and should continue to do so until I buy my next one in a couple years.
 
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#19 ·
I didn't get it and so far I'm ahead of the game. I never buy extended warranties and have not been sorry. I have 70k miles and the only expense I paid so far, has been a exhaust manifold and a wheel hub bearing. All the consumer guides do not recommend getting extended warranties. I figure they are not in the business of losing money so I went with the consumer guides recommendation. If I get an high cost repair I will just dump this Jeep and buy something else. If it gives you peace of mind then go for it, otherwise just skip it.
 
#20 ·
peckmv, traditional thinking is exactly as you describe. I think that tide is turning a little with the huge increase in "tech" that's in vehicles these days, particularly in higher trim levels. For many of us, the MaxCare Extended Service Contract (it's not a "warranty") is just pre-paid maintenance that we expect to have to do over the intended ownership time period of the vehicle. It's a choice, however, and self-insurance is also a valid choice.
 
#23 · (Edited)
^^^^This is what I agree with, things have changed. taking a car in for $150 repair is a thing of the past now its $2000 for a quadra lift compressor or $1700 for 1 air shock or $1800 for that ACC center eye sensor thing, among a multitude of other expensive gadgets. I have never bought an extended service contract on cars or anything before because I did not believe in them and I believe that served me well in the past but times change. buying this maxcare lifetime at $2100 is the best bargain I have spent money on in a long time. The key here is keeping the cars a long time or high in mileage whichever you do more of. I have no doubt over the next 10+ years this maxcare will pay for itself many times over. but if you are someone that does average miles and trades a car every 4 or 5 years don't waste your money just put the 2k towards repairs it will probably be breakeven. Its keeping it the long term where you will make out. the other advantage of the maxcare is the onsite rentals, I have an early 2014 and it has been back a lot, maxcare has given me at least a dozen multiday rentals in less than 3 years so far, several hundered dollars worth if renting on my own. Good rental cars too, v8 challenger, Ram Crewcabs, no econoboxes I think the worst I ever got was a patriot once. times change its always good to reevaluate once in a while and change with them if its right.
 
#21 ·
I honestly think that the decision is about probabilities.

IF...you are an "average" owner...you drive under 20k/yr. You trade-out every 5yrs or so....

Then Max Care will likely not be a huge benefit to you. It certainly COULD be...but I think the odds are that it wouldnt be worth the cost.

There is a demographic (like me) who rely heavily upon the MaxCare and wouldnt own a vehicle without it.

But I would ASSuME that the majority of owners would break-even, at best.
 
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#22 ·
I honestly think that the decision is about probabilities.

IF...you are an "average" owner...you drive under 20k/yr. You trade-out every 5yrs or so....

Then Max Care will likely not be a huge benefit to you. It certainly COULD be...but I think the odds are that it wouldnt be worth the cost.

There is a demographic (like me) who rely heavily upon the MaxCare and wouldnt own a vehicle without it.

But I would ASSuME that the majority of owners would break-even, at best.

I'd be happy if it got me a few loaners and I broke even on it.....:cool:
 
#24 ·
I wished they did the lifetime option for diesels. I'm about to replace my '97 Honda (yep, about time for a new car...lol) with a new JGC. I really, really like the diesel, but 8 yr/120k miles is the longest MaxCare option. Not sure I'll keep the JGC as long as I had the Accord, but I plan to drive it as long as possible. Which might end up being 7-8 years, if something big breaks after the MaxCare expires.
 
#26 ·
The whole deal with all of this Max Care yes or no is really quite simple. If you rent / lease, or else trade in every few years it's obviously not needed or required. If you purchase outright with the intent to keep the vehicle a long number of years, and drive it well into 6 digit mileage, it is an invaluable option that is worth every cent.
 
#28 ·
Quick question for you all - I understand that the lifetime warranty is available on the V6 and V8, can you clarify on the other requirements. Is it within the bumper to bumper warranty that you can add it? I'm looking to purchase a used GC, can I add it to the vehicle if still in the bumper to bumper warranty period or does it need to be a certified pre-owned?
 
#29 ·
Yep, I added it to a used GC within the factory warranty that wasn't a certified pre-owned or even bought from a Jeep dealership. You don't even have to show up to a Jeep dealer, you just buy it online. This thread has a link and you can get it priced out.

Like others have said, the things to keep in mind is 1) it'll be a bit more than if it was bought with a new (or almost new) car, 2) the diesel exclusion and 3) not sure of how it works outside the 3/36 factory warranty (but sounds like you're not worried about that either).

Also, you buy it online and you can confirm that you have it via Jeep's Owner Connect site. A very cool system.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Was glad to read the post about someone actually using the maxicare and having a good experience. I am wondering if they will eventually do away with this lifetime service plan. (seems they may slowly be cutting back) While my Jeep was in for service today I was looking at some new ones in the showroom. On my 14 I have 5 year 100000 mile power-train. I see on the new Jeeps it's now 5 year 60000 miles. Also a few items that were standard on my 14 Limited are now upgrades. After sitting in the lounge area for over an hour. I was over hearing service writers telling waiting customers what there costs are going to be for repairs etc. (They quoted one guy over $1000.00 for some electrical problem and new battery etc) Anyone who plans on keeping there Jeep for a period of time after the factory warranty expires has to be crazy not to get the extended service contact.
 
#38 ·
Paullee01, I've used mine twice for repairs and three times for the rental benefit and it was a totally good experience...outside of an initial hassle with the dealer's rental unit who tried to say my insurance didn't cover rentals, which was incorrect and provable in my favor.

And yes, the power-train warranty on MY16 has changed...I think there was a thread or three about that awhile back when it was announced.
 
#39 ·
Well, reading this thread and talking with my brother who is a mechanic convinced me to spend $2160 on the 8 year / 120k plan. Being I have a '15 GC with diesel, Adventure 2, and luxury 2 packages I think it is a no brainer. I already had to have the compressor replaced (under warranty). Who knows what else will go bad in the next 8 years that I intend to own this vehicle.
 
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