[PandaTech88]

Hello everyone, I spoke to one of the service technical advisers from my Jeep dealership. He said the the jeep renegade has 35 individual computer modules, that control various functions throughout the whole vehicle.

:nerd:

 

[bwbike]

That's a lot. Probably any 2014+ car is similar.

The biggest question is what happens 25 years from now. Where in the world will you get one of these computer modules? It's not like a 1970 car that you can buy a brand new carburetor for it and it will work.

 

[Hmmm!!!]

This is why an extended warranty is a must have these days.

 

[PandaTech88]

Yup, I miss the old days, cars were alot easy to maintain.
Dealerships bang you over the head for the extended warranties, but in the long run, it's totally worth it.
My mom's old mazda mpv van is 19 yrs old, and still runs. But parts wise, like a wiper arm, it's a very narrow margin to get parts from a junk yard or online these days.

 

[fmunk]

The biggest question is what happens 25 years from now. Where in the world will you get one of these computer modules?

Salvage yards. And if enough cars are sold worldwide, some manufacturer in China or some other up and coming country (like Vietnam) will make non-OE knock-offs.

To me the biggest question is not supply, but how much. Not simple $30 relays or solenoids we are talking about here. I'm guessing, like most modern cars, most people will not keep theirs that long.

 

[fmunk]

This is why an extended warranty is a must have these days.

Can't say I agree. I got one when I bought my Honda Element used. It turned out to be a complete waste of money since the car has not needed anything but gas, oil and the usual maintenance. If the car you're buying has a iffy reputation, and you just have to have it, yah I guess a extended warranty is probably a good thing. Otherwise you're just handing money over to feel secure... kind of like insurance that you may or may not ever file claims against.

 

[Reg]

Can't say I agree. I got one when I bought my Honda Element used. It turned out to be a complete waste of money since the car has not needed anything but gas, oil and the usual maintenance. If the car you're buying has a iffy reputation, and you just have to have it, yah I guess a extended warranty is probably a good thing. Otherwise you're just handing money over to feel secure... kind of like insurance that you may or may not ever file claims against.

I have a 2006 Ford Escape with 193,500 miles on it. I did not buy an extended warranty nor have I needed it. That vehicle is almost ten years old, there is no doubt more complexity and resultant microprocessor integration in today's vehicles.
That said, I do not buy extended warranties.

 

[Lackadazikal]

The biggest question is what happens 25 years from now. Where in the world will you get one of these computer modules?

We won't want them anymore after Skynet turns on us.

 

[Retiredguns]

I never bought an extended service contract until our 2005 Tucson. It was and still is (handed down to Daughter) a good vehicle, but it needed a $500 module & a $350 bearing job. Zero deductible was nice. The contract was $1400 so still lost a bit, but I say worth it.

Our 2009 Escape extended contract was $1600 and it almost paid for itself with a driveshaft, bearing, axle shaft, oil leaks.

Our new Renegade has the Maxcare and we feel $2500 for bumper to bumper for life is a no brainer.

 

[Foobar]

I've had an extended warranty on a Honda that was never needed, an extended warranty on an Isuzu that helped when I needed an engine replaced, an extended warranty on a GMC that helped when the entire ECU needed to be replaced, and an extended warranty on a Jeep that I never used as I traded it in early on.


Given that track record, I'd say it could go either way, but for peace of mind and if a lifetime warranty is offered, then that's worth it in the long run you're going to keep the vehicle beyond the standard warranty.


With modern car systems eating up 2K just to replace a computer, why not?

 

[fmunk]

Specifically to the Renegade, given the number of complaints, yah... extended warranty is a no brainer. Hope that changes.

 

[Indiana Jones]

Can't say I agree. I got one when I bought my Honda Element used. It turned out to be a complete waste of money since the car has not needed anything but gas, oil and the usual maintenance. If the car you're buying has a iffy reputation, and you just have to have it, yah I guess a extended warranty is probably a good thing. Otherwise you're just handing money over to feel secure... kind of like insurance that you may or may not ever file claims against.

There is no way I would own a FCA product with out having and extended warranty.

I agree however that it depends on the maker. Honda and Toyota I wouldn't bother but Fiat, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, and some Volkswagen it is a must.

 

[jquest21]

I got extended warranty on custom order.
For me, I was on family member voucher...so:
1) got a pretty good discount on price of that
2) the one my dealer has includes oil changes and tire rotations during life of extended warranty.


So the second fact offsets most of the cost on itself....even one thing going wrong will likely put me ahead.

 

[jeffadam]

That's a lot. Probably any 2014+ car is similar.

The biggest question is what happens 25 years from now. Where in the world will you get one of these computer modules? It's not like a 1970 car that you can buy a brand new carburetor for it and it will work.

Same thing I used to do with all the old Jeeps, throw an old non-computer controlled V8 in and do some damage, or 4cyl diesel tractor engine, whatever fits.

 

[twospirits]

There is no way I would own a FCA product with out having and extended warranty.

I agree however that it depends on the maker. Honda and Toyota I wouldn't bother but Fiat, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, and some Volkswagen it is a must.

As for the models you listed, I was curious and looked up the number of complaints just on CarComplaints website, ...

These are just the one reported on that website alone. Even the mighty Honda and Toyota are not immune. If one goes to their respected auto enthusiast forums, the number of complaints are higher. So basically in this day and age, I would get an extended warranty just for the peace of mind regardless of brand.

TS

 

[fmunk]

As for the models you listed, I was curious and looked up the number of complaints just on CarComplaints website, ...

These are just the one reported on that website alone. Even the mighty Honda and Toyota are not immune. If one goes to their respected auto enthusiast forums, the number of complaints are higher. So basically in this day and age, I would get an extended warranty just for the peace of mind regardless of brand.

TS

No one ever said Honda and Toyota are perfect. What you have to do is take that data and analyze it further. Calculate the percentage that is of complaints out of cars sold. Then, it'll be immediately clear that certain brands are just that much worse. What you've posted doesn't conclude anything. If more Toyotas are sold than any other brand, of course the chance of complaints will likely be higher than a brand that makes and sells fewer cars per any given year.

No online forum or survey will paint a complete picture. They are only small samples and people generally don't go online or take surveys unless they are not happy. The only thing closest to a full picture is the NHTSA's data. They know how many cars total are sold (based on assigned VIN) and they know how many complaints or problems there are based on consumer complaints, litigation and TSBs/recalls.

 

[bwbike]

The more glaring problem is the skill level of the technicians working at the various dealers. When a problem does arise, will it get fixed properly the first time? Apparently, not with some of the Renegade dealers. There isn't any excuse for some of the shoddy work we have seen documented here.

 

[Indiana Jones]

As for the models you listed, I was curious and looked up the number of complaints just on CarComplaints website, ...

These are just the one reported on that website alone. Even the mighty Honda and Toyota are not immune. If one goes to their respected auto enthusiast forums, the number of complaints are higher. So basically in this day and age, I would get an extended warranty just for the peace of mind regardless of brand.

TS

No one ever said Honda and Toyota are perfect. What you have to do is take that data and analyze it further. Calculate the percentage that is of complaints out of cars sold. Then, it'll be immediately clear that certain brands are just that much worse. What you've posted doesn't conclude anything. If more Toyotas are sold than any other brand, of course the chance of complaints will likely be higher than a brand that makes and sells fewer cars per any given year.

No online forum or survey will paint a complete picture. They are only small samples and people generally don't go online or take surveys unless they are not happy. The only thing closest to a full picture is the NHTSA's data. They know how many cars total are sold (based on assigned VIN) and they know how many complaints or problems there are based on consumer complaints, litigation and TSBs/recalls.

Fmunk is right. Just to add another log into the fire is; What are the complaints? Is it just annoying rattles and trim pieces or is it something major like transmission and engine failures?

 

[twospirits]

I mentioned Honda and Toyota because Indiana mentioned that he wouldn't bother getting an extended warranty for those brands. This falls into play with what alot of folks also feel. And I am pointing out that regardless of marketing hype and folks perception, they also have quite a few problems that would make most want to get an extended warranty as well.

Now both of your are correct, not every forum or complaint site will paint a complete picture and the complaints could be ranging from major (transmission) to minor (power window not working or missing piece off the exterior). either way, I only used one site that i looked at and a few forums.

TS

 

[BIOGUY]

Specifically to the Renegade, given the number of complaints, yah... extended warranty is a no brainer. Hope that changes.

better yet, a different vehicle.