Do I really need this?

[PALegacy]

My first post to this forum. I helped my son buy a 2017 Legacy Premium with the code 15 package (Moonroof +Navigation +EyeSight +BSD/RCTA + High Beam Assist). The finance guy wants to also sell him a 3 yr/36,000 mi maintenance plan for a little less than $2,000 which includes oil changes and other normal service items, but also annual “calibration” of the Eyesight system and software updates.

That seems awfully expensive. Is “calibration” of the Eyesight system really necessary or just a CYA tactic from Subaru? He hasn’t pulled the trigger on this yet.

The dealer implied you have to use Subaru’s own oil and have them do maintenance on the AWD mechanisms to maintain the Subaru warranty. This sounds suspicious. We have to decide right after the Christmas holiday. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks

[Condor1970]

It really comes down to how much security you really want. For some people having that good fuzzy feeling is worth the extra money on warranties, and maintenance. Not to sound sexist, but one would think women would be a little more prone to wanting the extra warranties, since doing repairs, oil changes, or maintenance, is generally something most women (well, people in general nowadays) simply don't want to do.

One thing I do know, is the dealers make a small chunk of money on their sales, but in many cases the majority of their total annual income, comes from the service center.

 

In my case, I'm a bit older, and have basically no use for all the bells and whistles cars come with nowadays. I think things like anti-lock brakes, AWD, and backup cameras are a real benefit, as they perform functions that go beyond human control.

But, for systems like lane change warning, Eyesight, etc. These are systems that if you ask me, makes drivers more lazy, and tend to divert their attention away from the road, as they become more and more dependent on these things to prevent an accident. That's not to say it won't help save your life, because it definitely can. My point is that humans are inherently lazy, and they definitely will work less if they consciously or subconsciously know they don't have to.

 

With all that babbling said, I personally just bought a base model, and fixed it up myself to get the options I wanted, like fog lights, custom wheels, and leather interior. If the car has a history of being very unreliable, then I can see getting the extra warranty. But, these new Subies are a pretty good machine, so for me a good 3/36 warranty is sufficient.

 

In the end, it's up to the person buying it, and how much extra service and security they want.

[Da Roo]

No you don't need the eyesight calibration, just don't touch the sensors. I think the only time you need a recalibration is if you get a new windshield. Just take the regular warranty that comes with the car. I let the dealer do oil changes since my time is worth more than the $30-$40 of labor cost included in the $70-$80 oil change

 

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[tigger73]

Dealers/salesmen will often try to tell you that your manufacturer warranty is void if you get your car serviced elsewhere. That's not quite correct.

 

You just have to use the manufacturer specified oils and maintain according to the required maintenance intervals. Any mechanic can do it but not all mechanics will use the specific oils. That's why I take my car to a Subaru specialist independent mechanic. They use all the right oils, are about half the cost and actually care about the job they're doing (unlike the apprentice mechanic at the dealership that will work on your car).

 

If you ever have a windscreen replaced then the eyesight system has to be recalibrated. I believe that this is not a simple process and takes several hours to "train" the eyesight system to the optics of the new windscreen. If you need to replace the windscreen I'd only get a genuine windscreen and always get the calibration done at a dealership as likely they're the only ones with the right tools for the job.

 

$2,000 does sound excessive. I'd go to the service department and find out what the individual service costs costs tally up to. If I were paying for 3 years servicing in full up front then I'd want a decent discount (not a premium).

[PALegacy]

Thanks for the prompt replies. I think I'll advise my son to not do the Maintenance Plan. The $2000 price was "discounted" from about $3000 for the calibration, software updates and routine maintenance which is obviously overpriced. Shouldn't Subaru do software updates for free? If not, is there a way to get the updates independently from their dealer network?

thanks again

[bitz]

No way you should pay $2K for that..... maintenance is cheap on first 36k and they should do all software/recall updates for free.

 

This eyesight calibration is news to me and I'm curious about since I had my windshield replaced but never had my eyesight re-calibrated. Dealership never said anything about it. Does anyone know how much the re-calibration costs?

[tigger73]

Correct software updates are part of the dealer service. It's why you'd take your car to a dealer instead of some other workshop.

 

As I said I'd be getting a breakdown of the costs and what they're providing for it. I'm almost certain that they wouldn't do a full eyesight calibration if they determined it was working OK. You only need to do a full recalibration if you replace the windscreen.

 

If they seriously think you need to spend $3k for servicing a new car for first 3 years they're kidding... that's $1k a service!!!

[NavySubsSS]

No way you should pay $2K for that..... maintenance is cheap on first 36k and they should do all software/recall updates for free.

 

This eyesight calibration is news to me and I'm curious about since I had my windshield replaced but never had my eyesight re-calibrated. Dealership never said anything about it. Does anyone know how much the re-calibration costs?

I had my windshield replaced by safelite. Called the dealer about calibration and said it wasn't required, although the manual says you need to.

 

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[Brisvegas]

The dealer implied you have to use Subaru’s own oil.

 

I take my vehicle to the Subaru dealer for oil changes, but supply my own oil. As long as it meets the specifications as per the manual, then Subaru (and my dealer) are completely fine for that to happen, and it is never going to be a "warranty problem."

[Brisvegas]

[

But, for systems like lane change warning, Eyesight, etc. These are systems that if you ask me, makes drivers more lazy, and tend to divert their attention away from the road, as they become more and more dependent on these things to prevent an accident. That's not to say it won't help save your life, because it definitely can. My point is that humans are inherently lazy, and they definitely will work less if they consciously or subconsciously know they don't have to.

 

My friend, I have all the bells and whistles, and I could not disagree more strongly with your comments here. I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks, but the bells and whistles you mentioned (plus BSM) have made me a better and more attentive driver. And I'm not convinced that a majority of drivers are "inherently lazy." I don't know about where you live, but over here the average driver is very aware of the "road toll figures" and the increased policing that those figures invite, and I would suggest that those "lazy" drivers you inferred to, who " consciously or subconsciously work less" are in the minority, and the majority take advantage of the technology like Eyesight, in order to prove your very own statement, namely " That's not to say it won't help save your life, because it definitely can."

[andrew_l_s]

The dealer implied you have to use Subaru’s own oil...

 

That right there is major BS.

 

The car requires synthetic 0W-20. Recently I've used Pennzoil as they've had a rebate where I can get a 5qt jug for like 15 bucks. Buy whatever brand you're partial to or whatever's cheap, so long as it's 0W-20.

[MrCobbs]

No, don't buy it

 

 

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[Yoda_One]

if you ask me

 

I didn't!

 

Laughter is the key to happiness

[upstater]

Run away from service contracts and extended warranties. Save your money. 99% chance you save more money never buying these contracts than you spend on repairs/services that those contracts would have paid.

 

And cost to maintain a new Subaru over 3 years? Add up three oil changes, if you do it yourself, cut the cost the dealer charges by 60%. If you drive more than that, you pay for a few more oil changes, not much else. Something goes wrong? bumper to bumper warranty is free, included with your purchase.

 

If it was a good deal for you financially, it would be a money loser for the dealer.

 

And by and large, the dealer wants more from you than they give to you, 'cause business.

 

Now there will be 20 posts about how extended warranties saved millions of dollars.

 

You won't see the 100 other posts of people like me who never bought the warranty and never needed it.

 

Statistics and math (actuarial calculations, in this case -- "How much does it cost to sell "a sense of security" on a new car, then how much more can we charge for that to add profit to our bottom line, 'cause we aren't in the business of losing money, ammi right?") are hard.

[TruNoLies]

My first post to this forum. I helped my son buy a 2017 Legacy Premium with the code 15 package (Moonroof +Navigation +EyeSight +BSD/RCTA + High Beam Assist). The finance guy wants to also sell him a 3 yr/36,000 mi maintenance plan for a little less than $2,000 which includes oil changes and other normal service items, but also annual “calibration” of the Eyesight system and software updates.

That seems awfully expensive. Is “calibration” of the Eyesight system really necessary or just a CYA tactic from Subaru? He hasn’t pulled the trigger on this yet.

The dealer implied you have to use Subaru’s own oil and have them do maintenance on the AWD mechanisms to maintain the Subaru warranty. This sounds suspicious. We have to decide right after the Christmas holiday. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks

 

I bought my 2.5i premium with all except the Nav and Moonroof.(which excluded leather seats as well) But I still have heated seats and I prefer to use the Waze app for Nav anyway so I saved over $2000 because theyat that point can't turn down the bumper to bumper coverages and that even made it possible for me to buy the entire car coverage for dents and dings for only $500. Much better deal if you ask me. Almost forgot!!! the leather upgrade is only $900

[PALegacy]

My son passed on the maintenance package. With the help of Yelp, we found some indi Subaru specialty garages with good ratings that can do the routine maintenance.

thanks for everyone's comments.

[Bigkanz]

I work for a Subaru Dealership and I can tell you that I would go and cancel that maintenance plan... It is cheaper to do it all on your own than to get the plan.

[Bigkanz]

Sorry thought he already bought it. Good call on not getting it