Does anyone have any experience with companies such as WarrantyGold offering comprehensive warranties on used vehicles?<p>I am considering the purchase of such a warranty for an A4.<p>Thanks<p>Scott

I vowed never to buy one ever again. Consumer Reports also says that they're a waste. In fact, I recently saw a news magazine show (20/20, etc), that talked about how the electronics/appliance stores make most of their money from extended warranties. People either never have any problems, or they forget they have the warranty. Your best bet is to invest the money you would spend on an extended warranty and if you need it, it's there; if not, it's still there. Of course, this is just my opinion.<p>CraigB

I am beginning to reevaluate whether to purchase an extended warranty for my 98 A4 30V.<br>After the latest bad press about the possible valve problems (carbon deposits) and the fact that I've already had the master brake cylinder replaced and had some clutch problems, I've considered whether to sell it now or add a warranty for long-term peace of mind.<br>My last car, an Acura Integra, had not a single problem in 90,000 miles, never lost a drop of oil.<br>My audi went through plenty of oil in the first 15,000 miles (seems to have stopped) and has already been in the shop more than my integra ever was.<br>I have little doubt that the car will need work between the 50K end of the warranty and the 90-100K miles I would like to keep it.<br>Is the peace of mind worth the $1,500 it would cost for an extended warranty?<br>It may be for me.<br>OK all of you with A4's with 120,000 miles and not a single problem, this is your time to chime in and make me feel better.<br><ul><li><a href="http://www.paradise-vacations.com">My travel website (no audi content whatsoever)</a></li></ul>

I purchased my 96 A4 when it was 2 years old. I too considered an extended warranty. However my credit union(AEA) was charging nearly $3000 for a 6 year 100000 mile warranty!! I decided against it because I was planning to keep the car for only 2 years and the warranty did not cover most servicable items. <br>I figured the main problems I would have would be with the electrics. I bought a stick shift so I do not forsee any problems with the transmission.<p>Basically, you have to decide how long you are going to keep the car and the millage you are going to cover. Bear in mind that servicing is not cheap and you will inccur these costs on top on the warranty.

My insurance told me that they would provide an extended warranty for $52 / year for 7 years or 100K miles, whichever comes first.<p>That works out to some $350 total, which is not bad. The catch is that during the first 3 years, your car is already covered by the factory warranty, so in effect you're only using the last 4 years. Also, there is a deductible of $250. Maybe the insurance company can be persuaded to sell me this warranty at the end of the factory warranty, 3 years from now - I don't know, have to ask them.<p>I plan to get this warranty just to have piece of mind in case of a major repair (turbo, transmission etc.). Any of these would cost many thousands of dollars, so even if yuo count in the deductible and the total cost of the warranty, it still makes sense.<p>So, try contacting your insurance company and see what they say.

I purchased mine at the dealership. Believe it or not, it offered the most coverage at the cheapest price. As another person had posted, the local credit union -- which almost always has the best deals on extended warranties -- wanted around $2800 because it was a Quattro! Also, it was for 6 years or 100K miles. My warranty cost around $1500 and offered more coverage and was for 7 years/100K miles.<p>Unlike others who have responded, I am a believer in extended warranties ... especially for German cars (although Japanese cars are no longer the service bargains they used to be). My previous experience with an extended warranty was with my 1989 VW GTI 16V. I had the 7 yr/100K warranty on that as well. I had hardly any problems the first 5 years. The last two years were a different story. I probably had about $6000 worth of work done at the dealer - covered by my $600 warranty! Needless to say, it was worth it.<p>With my more "sophisticated" A4 (i.e., many more things to go wrong ... potentially), I figured that something would happen in the next 7 years that would cost at least, if not more than the warranty. God forbid that your Quattro transmission blows up and you don't have a warranty. Even something like the turbo would cost you more to replace (parts and labor) than what I paid for my warranty. Even if something doesn't go wrong, I won't look at it as a waste. It's like an insurance policy. You don't hope that your house burns down just so that you can say that you got your money's worth on the fire insurance policy. I have too many things to worry about. A little peace of mind goes a long way when you own an expensive toy.<p>Hope this helps.

Extended warranties on a $ 500 oven and a $ 30,000 automobile are two entirely different things altogether. I don't believe a warranty on a car would be a waste. After 5-6 years major stuff is going to happen and the warranty will probably pay for itself on the first mishap. If you have the money will you necessarily invest it, I think not.<p>People who forget that they have purchased a warranty are complete idiots.