“Mandatory” arbitration agreements “required” by new car dealers is a significant concern. An extended warranty may reduce any need for disputes (whether through arbitration or through the courts) with a car manufacturer or dealer.
Many new car dealers will not sell a vehicle to a consumer who refuses to sign an arbitration agreement. These agreements are typically one-sided in favor of the car dealership. The car dealer typically gets to select the arbitrator. One arbitration group–which is now out of business–decided every dispute brought to them in favor of the car dealer.
I wish I’d gotten an extended warranty on my 2006 Outback, way back when. It was built during the first year of production at a new factory in Indiana and we had multiple axle problems. Some earlier builds were recalled, but not mine.
I had never thought to check on factory age before. And with all the new technology out there, maybe that extended warranty makes sense. This is a good thread to read, as I need to replace that Outback now, or sometime before it needs a third head gasket.
You can plug USB adapters into other types of outlets… no need to have a USB port in the car.
But good luck getting a service appointment at a Tesla dealership. Luckily we live less 5 miles from one. So when things get really hairy (like driver ‘s side door not opening - !), my husband just goes there and harasses the dudes until they help him
We live in a highest Tesla per capita density in the US. I’m not kidding. The next door neighbor has 2, the guy across the street has one… plus two more higher up the hill. I don’t think Tesla expected such a success… they definitely understaffed their service center.
That said, a USB port for the REAR seat pax?? Really? Use a long cord and plug it into the front seat USB port. Problem solved. Ask (sue) the carmaker for a refund if you think you paid for what was not delivered.
The hill right before our house, with the security at the bottom of it and homeowner assn and a clubhouse has a lot of Teslas. Our street has a lot of different vehicles, including hybrids and EVs but I don’t believe we have any teslas on my street.
The USB ports are supposed to be there. I expect my new vehicle to come with everything that is supposed to be there. Years ago I bought a new car and then noticed a day or so later that it was missing the rear seat headrests. It actually took a few months to get them as there was a shortage of parts.
Why wouldn’t someone want the features promised them in a new vehicle? Tesla could have easily communicated the issue to people, why didn’t they? Yes, it’s minor but people pay for something and they want it to be complete. There are many “optional” items on many new vehicles but if it’s supposed to come with it you still expect it to be there. It’s really just a failure of communication. I’m sure they will provide them at a later date, at least they should.
An article behind a paywall stated that over 10 million cars were not produced due to shortages. Nevertheless,some manufacturers are re-opening plants:
Brought home a new car today. Paid between $45,000 & $50,000 all-in walk-out price without purchasing any extended warranty which will be about another $2,500 (if we negotiate well) for a ten year/100,000 mile zero deductible comprehensive extended warranty from the manufacturer.
Truthfully, we could not afford to buy a used car in today’s market. Would have had to pay the same price as the new car for a similar car that was one or two years old with about 32,000 miles on the odometer. This is a huge difference even though the prices were the same because the used models are almost at the end of the bumper-to-bumper 36,000 mile warranty.
What type of new vehicle could we have bought for our $45,000 - $50,000 budget ? What would you buy in that price range ? (I am willing to experience buyer’s remorse based on your suggestions.)
Honda Ridgeline would have been an alternate choice except for the facts that we do not need a pick-up bed and I will not buy a vehicle with a push button or rotary gear selector. (Mentioned this vehicle since pop-up ads keep appearing on my screen for a $47,000 new honda Ridgeline.)
It depends on the needs / wants / use case for the vehicle.
Since you mention a Honda Ridgeline but do not need a pickup bed, then an obvious alternative is the Honda Odyssey, of which the Ridgeline is the pickup version of. The Odyssey obviously has no pickup bed while giving much more interior room. Of course, then that leads to competitors like the Kia Carnival, Toyota Sienna (36mpg hybrid in a big van), and Chrysler Pacifica / Voyager (plug-in hybrid available on the Pacifica).
