QuestionI am shopping for an off-lease Acura and think I want to buy a Certified by Acura car. They give a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty from the date the car went into commission, and a 7 year power train warranty.
Is Acura's Re Certification process actually a worthy one?
Is this a true bumper to bumper warranty through Acura? Is it worth spending a tiny bit more to get this? The warranty on the car I am shopping will pretty much last for 2 full years from this December.
Is it worth shopping re-certified?
AnswerA friend of mine bought a used Acura a couple of years ago, and was able to negotiate another $400 off the price by passing on the Certified Warranty package altogether. His feeling was, the Acura is such a reliable car to begin with, why should he pay for an extended warranty? He took his chances without it, and has paid almost nothing in repairs. If he were considering a BMW, Jaguar or Land Rover, I'm sure he would have thought otherwise.
Personally, I think the program is a good one, as the vehicle is thoroughly checked over, repaired and reconditioned before you get it. An Acura in good condition probably doesn't need an extended warranty, but if you can pick up extra bumper-to-bumper coverage for little money ($200? $300? $400?), then I'd seriously consider it. Only the dealer has all the details as to what constitutes "bumper to bumper," but they usually cover everything except tires, brake pads, and maybe belts and hoses. If they exclude anything beyond that (other than normal wear and tear, such as worn carpet or fabrics), then I'd think twice.
