Question Buying a used Sequoia - warranty or not? PLEASE RESPOND ASAP [Archive] - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

: Question Buying a used Sequoia - warranty or not? PLEASE RESPOND ASAP



PoPo
01-23-2012, 09:50 PM
Okay, just put a deposit down on an '06 Limited 4x4... it's about 7 hours away, so I'll be flying out and driving it back. It's at a Toyota dealership. They claim it's a 1-owner, bought there, serviced there it's entire life, "older" farmer owned it and kept up with maintenance (carfax supports this). It currently has 115k miles. It has new rotors/pads, and the Timing Belt & Water Pump were replaced at 98k miles. He assures me that I won't be disappointed and I'm not wasting my time making the trip. I'm not thrilled that I'll be traveling that far for a car, but it's a great deal, and the pictures of the undercarraige and frame show very minimal rust. Everything looks good so far, and we've negotiated a VERY nice price ($15,100)

So, here's the question. Because it has over 100k miles (but under 125k) it qualifies for a Toyota used (not certified) warranty. Because of the mileage though, it's only eligible for 1yr/12k miles... roughly $1500. They also have a 3rd party (Century) warranty available, which will cover 2yrs/24k miles, same price.

So, since the truck has the TB & WP replaced from the 90k service, and new brakes... is the warranty worth the $1500, OR, is it safe to assume that I'll be safe for 2-years/24k miles, from any major issues? The difference is only like $27/mo, BUT, it's obviously less debt in case something happens. What problems usually come up between 115,000 - 140,000 miles that make the warranty worth it?

Thanks in advance - I appreciate the feedback.

all yotas
01-25-2012, 05:16 PM
Don't waste your money on a warrenty. Mine went past 240k with no problems. I never even changed the timing belt. Enjoy your "new" Sequoia

sequoiasoon
01-26-2012, 01:54 AM
Should be fine without it especially since it's not a very long warranty coverage. I'm always leery of aftermarket warranties as they don't cover many things. I bought the factory 7 year/ 100k when my 2003 was new for about $500 less than what you were quoted. I'm out of time now but during that time the extended warranty covered parts and labor for 3x O2 sensors, 2 sets of exhaust manifolds, Body ECU, fuel injector O-rings/seals, catalytic converter and 1-2 other pretty high dollar items.

I don't normally buy the warranties but figured with everything going through the multiple computers if one failed (which it did) it would pay for itself.

My friend had an aftermarket one on his suburban from Warranty Gold for about $1500 who went bankrupt about 2 years later BUT was still taking new applications and money. It was supposed to be a full coverage deal but many had issues getting them to authorize/pay out at the dealer due to "conditions not met". He developed major engine issues right at before it was about to expire. He called warranty gold and they had no record of him in the system! He went to dealer and it turned out they never mailed there portion in to WG. Dealer made good on their mistake and covered all parts and labor for about 4K since they screwed it up. Would the bankrupt company have done that?

My 07 Sonata I did not get the warranty as it was almost $2k. I was back at dealer numerous times and after trying to fix the same exhaust vibration 4 times said it couldn't be fixed and wouldn't try again. I wrote all the letters to all the reps, consumer complaints etc and even checked with lawyer for lemon law who did not recommend pursuing as it was not a safety issue. This was still while it was under the factory warranty.

I ended up getting rid of half the noise by bolting on an exhaust vibration damper from a crown victoria. Car drives great, handles well, looks good (imo) and all stability control systems worked great when I had to use them. Coming up on 5 years and 85k at this point and only paid 14k when new so extra 2K would have been a big chunk added.