extended warranty

Daphney if you search this and other websites about extended warranty, the overwhelming majority consensus it is a rip-off.

With your vehicle just coming out of warranty you really should not have any problems. The major issues with all these extended warranty policies is the exclusions and under their wording they can appear to exclude anything.

The large majority of premature failure is caused by poor service and maintainence. For example people fail to change their ethylene glycol coolant annually and fill with demineralised water and a major oil commpany brand concentrate in the required ratio, fail to change their brake fluid annually, fail to change radiator hoses, heater hoses etc. and fan belts at 100,000k's or 4 years, service the starter motor and alternator, change the air conditioner clutch bearing at 100,000k's or 4 years, and those type of things. Not doing those things is among the major things causes other mechanical and expensive failures. Your extended warranty insurance is not going to cover any of the above if they fail.

The use of synthetic oils and bypass filters makes a dramatic difference to a vehicle and breakdowns, and with the extended service intervals pays handsome dividends.
Here is some reading for you:
http://gulfcoastfilters.com/why_do_we_change_oil.htm
http://mr2.com/TEXT/synth_oil.txt
http://www.users.conninc.com/pgoodson/SynthOil3.htm

also check on the Mobil website under their oil specifications:
http://www.mobil.com.au/mobil/fr_mobil_products.html
You can also call Mobil toll free on 1800 033 863

I agree with Ozies, extended warranties are crap. I have one on my car, which came with the finance, and really it's only an insurance policy on SOME components. To keep the warranty valid I have to have the car serviced by a workshop every 10k, and while I haven't had to use it yet, I bet the warranty people will find some way to wriggle out of paying anything if something breaks. Once I had read to wording of the "warranty" I wanted to opt out, but there is fine print in the "policy" which says basically, that it can't be surrendered, no matter what.

Daphney - I agree with Ozi that they are a ripoff. Many years ago I took one on a Commodore, Had to have it serviced on the correct mileage, (by an authorised dealer) use certain lubricants etc. Blew a head gasket within 6 months, no warranty. Previous service was over the limit by about 100k. Never had an extended warranty since. If you decide to go with one, read the fine print VERY carefully.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, we won't be going ahead with the warranty,there are better things to spend our money on.Thanks again