Made this account just to ask because I’ve been stressing over this. I paid about $9K for a warranty and other add-ons, and now I feel like I got talked into something I didn’t fully understand.
Bought a 2024 Forester three weeks ago. Finance guy ran through all the paperwork, then pitched a warranty last. I wanted the lowest-tier one, didn’t need the service contract, and didn’t care about key replacement. In the middle of all this, I got a call from my vet about my dog possibly having cancer. I got emotional, and after I got off the phone, the finance guy said he’d throw in some extras for free. Then I signed a bunch of stuff without really thinking.
Got my finance paperwork later and saw my total was nearly $10K more than I expected. There was a service contract I’m sure I said no to, but I still signed for it. Finance guy made it seem like everything was around $4K, but in reality, it was over $9K.
Here’s what I paid for:
Data dots (5 years) - $399
Interior/exterior ceramic (5 years) - $1,490
Window replacement (5 years) - $974
Service contract (7 years/75K miles) - $3,566
Maintenance (3 years/36K miles) - $1,290
Tire & wheel (5 years/60K miles) - $799
Service contract tax - $582.47
Total: $9,109.47
Went back to the dealership to ask about it, thinking I could cancel. Finance guy told me I couldn’t return the interior protection plan or data dots. He made everything sound like a good deal, but after looking online, I’m not so sure.
Did I get completely scammed? I don’t know if I just blacked out after the vet call or if I got misled. Finance guy told me I could only get this deal at the time of purchase, but I read online that you can get a warranty within the first 36,000 miles. When I brought that up, the head finance guy just pointed out that everything was recorded on camera.
edit: Appreciate the advice. I’m going to try canceling everything I can. Will update once I know more.
edit 2: Managed to cancel most of it except for the data dots, windshield replacement, and interior/exterior protection since they were part of a package deal. Still frustrated, but at least I got some money back.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Buying a new car is overwhelming, and a lot of people fall for these add-ons. You’re definitely not the first or last.
I almost got tricked into a $3K extended warranty and a $1K ceramic coating package. Was about to say yes just because I was tired and wanted to be done. Luckily, I went to a forum and people told me to walk away.
Also, really sorry about your dog. The fact that the finance guy kept pushing when you were clearly distracted makes this worse.
@Nate
Appreciate the kind words. This was my first time buying new, and I wasn’t expecting to get pushed so hard on warranties.
The finance guy really leaned into how expensive repairs are—$2K for the windshield, all four tires need replacing if one goes, etc. I called family to ask, but I was already in a daze from the vet call. He made it sound like I was getting a deal, and I didn’t question it.
I’m going to try to cancel what I can.
Dog is doing okay for now. Vet said to check again in three months to see if the mass changes. He’s been through a lot, but he’s still hanging in there.
Try to cancel. My mom got an extended warranty and I was able to cancel it for her and get a refund. Not sure about all the other add-ons, but the service contract should be possible to drop.
Mitchelle said:
Try to cancel. My mom got an extended warranty and I was able to cancel it for her and get a refund. Not sure about all the other add-ons, but the service contract should be possible to drop.
It’s the official Subaru warranty, so I should be able to cancel. I’ll find out soon.
The warranty itself isn’t the worst deal ever, but they definitely marked it up. Subaru increased their rates recently, but even then, your total seems really high.
Everything else? Huge waste of money.
And yeah, window replacement? Just use your insurance.
@Torin
Didn’t even think about that until after. Insurance covers windshields. Plus, the dealer said the crack had to be big before they’d replace it anyway. Definitely canceling what I can.
If they won’t let you cancel, make them fix every little thing that goes wrong. Squeaky door? Take it in. Weird noise? Have them check it. Make them work for every cent they took from you.