Maintenance Plan vs Service Plan vs Savings

[FGRL]

I know that this has been discussed countless times but I have seen that there are some serious fundi's here who might help me make a final decision...

Just bought my first new car (2016 Ford Figo 1.5 Trend WHOOP WHOOP) and because my drivers license is only 4 years old I've been heavily penalised with insurance. I opted not to add a maintenance plan to my finance arrangement and was leaning toward paying the R11 000 5yr/60000km maintenance plan BUT then I started thinking about I and thinking about the fact that I'm getting a 2 yr/40000km service plan included and my logic tells me that I shouldn't have any wear and tear during that time so surely I should only get maintenance plan when that expires?

What am I missing?

I am so sure it doesn't make sense to buy it now-yes, I will save with inflation but surely this "six of one and seven of the other"?

Any help is appreciated!!!

 

[Willy Strong]

Do you know how much a gearbox cost? Please get the maintenance plan.

 

[zizo911]

Do you know how much a gearbox cost? Please get the maintenance plan.

Shouldn't the warranty cover this?

 

[Brawler]

It's not necessary on a car like that. Don't worry about it.

 

[reactor_sa]

You can't upgrade a service plan to a maintenance plan after the first service.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Do you know how much a gearbox cost? Please get the maintenance plan.

That's a warranty problem.

Only thing that should come out of a maintenance plan for a car this young would be brake pads and discs and even then you would need to really do the mileage.

Can't think of anything else.

*****

I bought my car with a little under 100k on the clock and now at 176k.

To date I have still not spent even nearly what the service place would have cost me.

A maintenance plan would have been a massive loss.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

I didn't take the risk, I slapped on a 60000km Maintenance Plan when I bought my car earlier this year without thinking twice.

Things like brake pads, brake discs, turbo, windscreen whiper blades, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, clutch plates, flywheel etc.. Are covered by maintenance plan, may not always be covered by Warranty, check what the warranty and service plan cover.

I just don't see the point of having to worry about all these things, when it can all be covered with a maintenance plan.

 

[Type RSA]

Service plan will be sufficient. Unless you go through clutches and brakes a lot!

 

[FGRL]

Thanks for all the responses!

You wouldn't believe the cost implications when you buy the service plan or maintenance plan after you've driven the car out the door!!!

I keep thinking that I wouldn't spend R12000 maintenance fees in the first 60000kms so why spend that money now? Surely I can put it in a 30 Day savings account and at least get interest?

I checked out the Kinsey Report and the clutch plate estimate is R1800 excl. Labour and I couldn't find gearbox.

 

[FGRL]

Service plan will be sufficient. Unless you go through clutches and brakes a lot!

My only concern is I ride my clutch a lot, however, my Corsa Lite at 91000kms and 10 years old still hasn't given me any clutch issues so I reckon Ford should be good? Maybe I'm too positive!!!

 

[FGRL]

You can't upgrade a service plan to a maintenance plan after the first service.

Hi! My dealer told me that I can get the Maintenance plan at any time as long as car is younger than 5 years and less than 120000kms BUT the cost is severely increased. For example: 2yr/40000kms @ R15000

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Thanks for all the responses!

You wouldn't believe the cost implications when you buy the service plan or maintenance plan after you've driven the car out the door!!!

I keep thinking that I wouldn't spend R12000 maintenance fees in the first 60000kms so why spend that money now? Surely I can put it in a 30 Day savings account and at least get interest?

I checked out the Kinsey Report and the clutch plate estimate is R1800 excl. Labour and I couldn't find gearbox.

Keep cash in savings. I bought an i10 with a full maintenance plan only to discover it was useless. Salesman told me verbally he was giving me a 5 year plan (think 120'000km) but ended up being a 3 year plan. Only used it twice as on the third service my car went in the working day after it ended (I was pissed as service was Monday and plan ended the previous Friday).

Now with my new car I decided to used the R10K as a deposit against the car instead. Even delayed the extended warranty purchase till just before this one expires and also used that R4K for the deposit as I save more in the end.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Hi! My dealer told me that I can get the Maintenance plan at any time as long as car is younger than 5 years and less than 120000kms BUT the cost is severely increased. For example: 2yr/40000kms @ R15000

Its a Ford, any mechanic with a leatherman and some wire can fix it. I nearly bought a Ford because the cheaper service charges where attractive.

Some brands you are forced to accept the plans as you have limited access to workshops, while Ford you don't. What I did learn from my i10 is a service history means nothing to the seller but everything to the buyer.

I serviced my i10 myself for its third service and lost a couple of hundred rands on trade in but saved R2K on the service. Only service at dealership while still in warranty.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I didn't take the risk, I slapped on a 60000km Maintenance Plan when I bought my car earlier this year without thinking twice.

Things like brake pads, brake discs, turbo, windscreen whiper blades, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, clutch plates, flywheel etc.. Are covered by maintenance plan, may not always be covered by Warranty, check what the warranty and service plan cover.

I just don't see the point of having to worry about all these things, when it can all be covered with a maintenance plan.

None of those things apart from brake pads should be going wrong during the warranty period and then should be covered. If not...it's a **** warranty.

What did you pay for said maintenance plan if I may ask? This is on the Renault Clio right?

Although ultimately it comes down to doing your research on the vehicle in question and especially when buying second hand. But then it also comes down to the cost of these things etc. Ultimately though I would opt for buying the more reliable car than buying a question mark and adding a maintenance plan.

If I were to be buying a Renault I would probably also opt for a maintenance plan (cost dependant) because odds are I'll need it.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

Maintenance plans are a money making scheme. The most expensive thing it would cover is usually your brake pads and discs. Discs won't go until long into the car's life, so you only need need to save a bit for brake pads. And of course wiper blades, light bulbs etc.

The warranty covers most of the expensive stuff, so rather extend your warranty to the max. I extended mine to 6yrs/220,000km for R6,000 - a fraction of the cost of a maintenance plan.

As for a service plan, might be worth it depending on how much your dealer charges for services. For a small car like this, with parts readily available, I'd personally just save up for services...

 

[Tsepz_GP]

None of those things apart from brake pads should be going wrong during the warranty period and then should be covered. If not...it's a **** warranty.

What did you pay for said maintenance plan if I may ask? This is on the Renault Clio right?

Although ultimately it comes down to doing your research on the vehicle in question and especially when buying second hand. But then it also comes down to the cost of these things etc. Ultimately though I would opt for buying the more reliable car than buying a question mark and adding a maintenance plan.

If I were to be buying a Renault I would probably also opt for a maintenance plan (cost dependant) because odds are I'll need it.

Any car I buy I will put a maintenance plan on, its something I've learnt from my parents, they did it on their VWs, BMWs, Jeeps, Volvos and Jaguars, piece of mind, never really worry about parts or surprise costs.

I didn't pay much for my maintenance plan, I'll have to check the paper work again as I don't remember, but my overall installment is less than R2500pm with the plan included.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Any car I buy I will put a maintenance plan on, its something I've learnt from my parents, they did it on their VWs, BMWs, Jeeps, Volvos and Jaguars, piece of mind, never really worry about parts or surprise costs.

I didn't pay much for my maintenance plan, I'll have to check the paper work again as I don't remember, but my overall installment is less than R2500pm with the plan included.

Doesn't sound like too bad a deal then.

 

[FGRL]

So I'm taking ownership today and I've decided against service and maintenance plan!!!!
I've taken the R10 000 I would've paid and put it in a 7 day notice account so when I need it it's there.
I appreciate all the feedback everyone!!!!

 

[FGRL]

Doesn't sound like too bad a deal then.

I'm so pedantic that I couldn't bear the thought of paying interest on a maintenance plan - it would keep me up at night!!!!

 

[kripstoe]

So I'm taking ownership today and I've decided against service and maintenance plan!!!!
I've taken the R10 000 I would've paid and put it in a 7 day notice account so when I need it it's there.
I appreciate all the feedback everyone!!!!

Congratulations. Happy motoring.