2012 TT RS with 40k Miles - Extended Protection worth it?

[oldenglish]

I'm purchasing a 2012 TT RS with 40k miles, immaculate condition and thorough service records. I'm considering an extended vehicle protection program through USAA, which would cover everything except general maintenance. It would cost around $4k for 3 years/36k miles, which would certainly bring peace of mind for those three years. However, I'm wondering if it's worth it, given the condition of the car. It would almost certainly be worth it if something DID go wrong, but it would sting if nothing did. I'm basically betting on the reliability of the car up to 75k miles.

What do you think, worth it?

[carmudgeon]

Are you a DIY type of person that could some repairs yourself? If not then an extended warranty might be in your best interest. I can imagine a lot of stuff that would have to break before you would break even for $4k though.

[oldenglish]

I am, though I mostly do regular maintenance work, which this wouldn't cover anyway. I don't have easy access to a lift so suspension and major engine work is more difficult.

[nnnick]

I was in a similar boat when I bought my 2012 TT-RS, here is the pricing I got for an extended warranty. I got a special friends and family rate, I'm told this was pretty much at cost. I went with Gold coverage for 3 years. It was through UnitedAutoCare FWIW

$100 Deductible

24/30,000 Gold $1,722 Platinum $2,018

36/45,000 Gold $2,388 Platinum $2,990

48/50,000 Gold $3,469 Platinum $4,119

[oldenglish]

Thanks nnnick. Do you think it was worth it?

I'm currently thinking it makes more sense to set aside $100+ a month into a car fund instead of putting it towards a warranty like the one I'm looking at. My thought is that it's fairly unlikely that I will have a significant breakdown between 40k-75k miles, and having that money set aside will be there if I need it but not thrown out the window if I don't.

The one through USAA is a bit more expensive than the one you listed, though it is more comprehensive, does not have a deductible, and allows me to use any shop of my choosing, so maybe worth the extra cost?

[nnnick]

Thanks nnnick. Do you think it was worth it?

I'm currently thinking it makes more sense to set aside $100+ a month into a car fund instead of putting it towards a warranty like the one I'm looking at. My thought is that it's fairly unlikely that I will have a significant breakdown between 40k-75k miles, and having that money set aside will be there if I need it but not thrown out the window if I don't.

The one through USAA is a bit more expensive than the one you listed, though it is more comprehensive, does not have a deductible, and allows me to use any shop of my choosing, so maybe worth the extra cost?

As an economics major, it is always better to "self-insure" like you describe above IF you can afford it. The insurance companies need to make money (and cover a lot of overhead), so whatever the statistics are that you will need a repair (something they calculate very robust) then then markup by a good margin. It is all a matter of how risk averse you are that a catastrophic event would occur (i.e. engine replacement) and your tolerance level for self-insurance. If you can get a good deal on it (like I did) then it's maybe worth considering. I can't really comment if it's worth it or not since I've only had my car 2 months and put on about <1k miles on it, so nothing has broken yet :P

My UAC warranty does let you pick what shop you want to take it to, FWIW.

[carmudgeon]

On the plus side you don't have a complicated DSG transmission to worry about. If you can do small to medium repairs yourself like suspension, brakes, anything that bolts to the outside of the engine, I would say save your money.

[Alansd]

i had a stroke and can no longer work on my car, something I have done since my teens. bought a 12 tt quattro and shelled out 3200 for a 3 year 36000 mile full coverage deal