Mark Swakow

Basically reviving a thread I saw here awhile back. Just bought a 2021 RDX A-Spec and was talked into purchasing three additional packages:

• Select (Ding and Dent): $900, 60 mos 75k mi
• Maintenance (oil change, tire rotation): $700, 48 mos 60k mi
• New Vehicle (all parts/assemblies, including electronics - if a thread comes out of a seat, j can bring it in): $2953, 84 mos 100k mi

I crunched the numbers on the maintenance plan and that seems worth it (2 full synthetic oil changes per year + tire rotation = $200 x 6 = $1200), but I’m not sure about the others. I don’t mind holding onto them for peace of mind but I know that MOST dealership contract programs like this are a rip-off. I have the opportunity to cancel any and all programs within 30 days of purchase. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Love my RDX and am happy to be part of the community. Cheers!

Waetherman

I paid $75 to have my oil changed (and tires rotated) by the dealer once, because there were other issues I wanted addressed at the same time that were included under warranty. I probably would have paid half that at my local. Everything else (ding and dent and new vehicle) is basically just paying for insurance and rolling it into your car payment. For some people that makes sense, but on the average it doesn’t make sense. If they weren’t making more from you than they’re spending, they wouldn’t be doing it in the first place.

DriverOne

Unfortunately, nobody can tell you whether these are worth it or not, since it all comes down to how risk averse you are. In other words, you're asking us to tell you what the odds are that you would need to use those packages. Nobody knows. You could go to your grocery store one day after buying the car and pick up a ding. Even if that happened, some people might not mind and other people might need to run out and get it repaired. I have a ding in my roof (long story) and I initially wanted to go get it PDR repaired, but now I just sort of live with it. All I can say is that I don't think you'd need to get the maintenance package, if all it covers is oil changes and tire rotation. If you're changing your oil twice a year, you must be driving it 23 hours a day. But if you're that obsessed with your car that you want to change the oil twice a year, then you'd probably better get the other packages.

mrgold35

I usually add the OEM tires to the Discount Tire road hazard warranty for about $32-$37 per tire depending on vehicle. Keep the same road hazard warranty when I purchase my 2nd-3rd set of tires at Discount Tires. Comes out to under $150 spread out for 3-5 years depending on yearly mileage (do rotation/balance every oil change). Discount Tires also includes free pressure checks, rotation, and balance for the life of the the tires.

I also purchase my own engine/cabin filters online and change out myself in under 10 minutes. I purchase my own Mobil 1 oil from Walmart to take to the dealership for oil changes. I'm usually charged $30-$35 for a A12or B12 service. I still do the trans, coolant, rear diff, and 105,000 big service at the dealership. My dealership will drop me off, pick me up, and wash my vehicle for oil changes.

Ludepower

You bought a car that doesn't need extended warranty.

I say no to all the finance office upsell. Their last remaining chance to gouge you.

NooYawkuh

As a personal policy, I never take maintenance plans or extended warranties. They are just additional revenue streams for the providers. That's why they sell them.

If you know people who like to extol extended warranties and how they make out great with them (because no one wants to think they wasted money on them - they want their money's worth), people like that are probably negligent or abusive of most things they own. I take reasonably good care of my stuff.

Mark Swakow

Good points from all! Thank you for your time. Yeah, I'm leaning towards canceling. From what I can see on the New Vehicle Coverage option, the ONLY thing that's really covered is electronic systems. Is that mostly attributed to computers within the vehicle that run ACC or LKAS? Has anyone had these systems fail?

jmhumr

Bingo. I could be convinced to buy maintenance and/or warranty plans for a BMW or Porsche. But one of the “pros” of buying an Acura is avoiding those plans with very little chance of regret. I didn’t even let the finance guy finish his pitch.

Something to lookout for with maintenance plans is that the dealers like to compare the plan cost against “dealer recommended maintenance,” which usually far exceeds the maintenance that Acura prescribes.

russianDude

Short answer: no, you do not need maintenance plan.

dcmod

That is way too expensive of a Maintenance Plan for a very reliable car. I have a local mechanic Certified Acura Specialist do a yearly Synthetic Oil change for $50 . For $700 , I can get 14 years of oil change from him, give or take some little increase adjusted for inflation
And I dont' think I will keep this car for 14years

Mark Swakow

For sure. I brought the contracts over to my awesome local mechanic and he said no way I’ll need 2 oil changes per year and based on changing oil prices, he can do it for $60. So 100% scratching both the maintenance plan and the ding/dent plan.

Still wary about the all the computer systems in the vehicle (LKAS, ACC, collision avoidance, etc.) that could go out before 100,000 which is what the New Vehicle one covers. You’d skip on that too? Thanks for your insight. Truly helps as a first-time Acura buyer and honestly car buyer in general.

DriverOne

You don't need that one because if that's going to be a problem it will show up during the regular warranty period (not that most people have any problem with those).

nist7

Read the fine print on that warranty. The marketing speak/words are meaningless. There are probably dozens of disclaimers where they can deny coverage...