After being on this forum for a couple months, I finally purchased my '08 Santa Fe Limited AWD. I absolutely love the CUV and all my "you got a hyundai??" friends had changed their minds about the company after taking a ride in it.

Being this is the first time I purchased a new car, I wanted to take care of it. I added the GE 10yr 100,000mile warranty that covers everything that the factory warranty didn't cover. I also signed up for the "free tires for life of car" program if I bring the car into them and pay for the regularly suggested service tasks. I live in an area that does not allow me to change my own oil, so I'm considering having them do that as well.

My question is this.. is it worth it for the free tires and the extra warranty? I was told that I had to bring in most service work into the dealer in order to keep my GE warranty. Would I be spending too much on needless stuff? or is it a good form of preventative maintenance?

Lastly, I did some searches on snow tires.. some people say yes, others no. Does anyone have 2 year experience with them? I live in NH so we get a fair amount of snow and ice.

This post has been edited by ehkewley: Aug 19 2008, 03:10 PM

I'm not a fan of extra warranties. Never purchase them for anything, so won't comment on that subject.

Winter tires? Absolutely. If you intend to keep the vehicle for several years, buy winter tires on dedicated rims. Although your regular 'all season' tires may seem perform adequately the first winter when new, winter tires are by far the safest.

Do it. :)

Good point, I've heard all seasons don't do so hot in the snow after they have some age to them. I was considering the 16" on steel factory rims. I figure the extra sidewall would help in the winter. Did you go with factory or aftermarket rims?

I got 2nd hand factory rims from someone who upgraded his. But there are good after marked units available. Do some shopping around.

I have the extended warranty in Canada, and it offers such things as a rental if mine is inoperable, extended roadside assistance, and if transferrable if I seel my car before warranty has expired.

As for scheduled maintenance, inquire what your dealership suggests (most have a pamphlet) and compare online to other dealerships requirements. I know of a dealership that "make up" their own service requirements and are not necessarily when Hyundai recommends.

Snow tires definitely a good suggestion. Extended warranty is probably more debatable. Too many bad experiences of both the kind of work they did (problem not fixed, reschedule another appointment) and then the poor communication regarding dealer service. Example on communication is from a Toyota dealer I asked to fix a slow leak (5-10#'s loss every 2 weeks) in one tire . On vehicle pick-up, I ask about the leak and the guy says they put it in a dunk tank and there were no bubbles. No kidding... it's a slow leak stupid. I asked if they at least remounted the tire and replaced the $2 valve stem, for which I would have gladly paid but he said I hadn't authorized those charges (Call me on the phone and I'll authorize).

The corner garages and tire shops will never go out of business with the way many dealership service departments operate but hopefully you have a good one close by. Good Luck!

I just picked up my '08 today and did not buy any extended warranties and told the finance guy all bets were off if he didn't take no for an answer. I think he thought oh, female, we'll get her with the scare tactics. I threatened to walk out w/o signing the papers and that shut him up- LOL. I traded in an 04, never needed the warrantee and have never bought one in the past 6 cars I've bought new. I picked the baby up tonight and I am in LOVE!!! I got the limited in slate blue with the tan interior. Even hubby is impressed which is saying something and yes, he also has a Hyundai although only an Elantra GT :P

Good for you. :thumbsup: That's exactly what I do.

I used to be a finance guy in a previous life, and have sold many extended warranties despite never having bought one myself. This is the best advice I can offer:

(1) Don't let anybody tell you that you "need" or "don't need" an extended warranty. It depends on whether you prefer a sure thing vs. saving your money and taking your chances. For every 100 people who buy an extended warranty, some save money, some do not, and the administrator makes a profit on the total pool of business. That's all there is to it.

(2) Don't buy an extended warranty unless it comes from the factory, or a reputable alternative. In the past there have been many fly-by-nighters, and you cannot necessarily rely on your dealer to screen them for reliability OR back you up if they fail to deliver.

(3) Read the fine print, evaluate how much protection it really adds to your factory warranty, and decide if you're getting value for your money. In general, warranties that cover the first 6 years are a hedge against problems that should never happen, whereas warranties that go beyond 6 years are more of a maintenance plan for components that are going to wear out eventually.

I agree with what Don says.

I picked it up for several reasons

- not too expensive: It was only $1,200 and offered road side assistance. You could
estimate that I
shaved about $300 off the price because I was able to cancel AAA

- free rental car: offers a free rental car for repairs that pertain to the warranty

- covers things that the factory warranty doesn't. The factory warranty only covered
the engine and powertrain. The extended warranty covered everything else ( minus
wear and tear)

- I've asked several hyundai owners about maintaince, and they said they had to go
in for a few things from time to time. I also read some of the negative threads on
here about some problem areas. I also went to that dealership after talking to a
couple of hyundai owners who had good experience there. I guess time will tell if it
pays off or not.