FIAT lifetime extended warranty - are they banking on the Mayans?

I had to satisfy my curiosity about the Abarth and how it looked in person, so I stopped at the local "Studio" on Saturday. Surprisingly I was the only "customer" there at 1:00 in the afternoon.

Overall I was impressed with the Abarth appearance and pricing. The regular 500 pricing was impressive but the styling without the go fast goodies seemed unimpressive.

No test drive though, I wasn't looking to buy and was upfront with the salesman about that.

Anyway, the think that got me really thinking about and Abarth as a DD is the optional "lifetime" extended warranty. I know everyone has different opinions on the general usefulness of an extended warranty, but curious if anyone has looked into what is specifically covered. I should have looked into it while there, but didn't start thinking about a FIAT as a DD until the idea had some time to sink in.

Since I put on 32k mile a year commuting, and want to have a vehicle that is always under warranty, this could be a way to accomplish that without always having a loan payment.

Any info on the coverage of the warranty, or also the factory maintenance recommendations would be helpful.

Thanks, Joe

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/2012-abarth-build-and-impressions/54194/page1/

Here is a thread on DD'ing an Abarth. Maybe helpful.

Most of the extended warranties are only transferable once. So, if you traded it back in for something else, the next owner does have a chance at it, but if you buy from that second owner, you are out. That is what they are banking on, as there is normally some fee associated with it too.

Ranger50 wrote: Most of the extended warranties are only transferable once. So, if you traded it back in for something else, the next owner does have a chance at it, but if you buy from that second owner, you are out. That is what they are banking on, as there is normally some fee associated with it too.

Was just gonna guess that, warranty is not transferable, most cars get sold in the same time most of us drive around on a set of tires, no worries for FIAT.

but bad with people like us around.

If I had the money burning a hole in my pocket.. I would buy two abarths.. identical. One to stick in a barn and drive around the block once a month to keep it working.. and one to drive the wheels off

Honestly, I don't really care what happens to the guy who buys the car from the guy that I sell it to.

I was thinking along the lines of not selling or trading, and that's why the "lifetime" warranty caught my attention.

Maybe eventually give it to my oldest son ( soon to be 9) when he is ready and then buy something to hand down to the younger son ( 3 yo) when he's ready.

I have to look into this, we drive the wheels off our cars, the wife is at 330k so resale a nd transfering mean nothing to us, but a warantee could be nice.

Wally wrote: I have to look into this, we drive the wheels off our cars, the wife is at 330k so resale a nd transfering mean nothing to us, but a warantee could be nice.

A warranty only means you don't get a bill when they keep your car for 18mos over the next 2 years.

You could end up having to take the bus.

jstand wrote: I was thinking along the lines of not selling or trading, and that's why the "lifetime" warranty caught my attention. Maybe eventually give it to my oldest son ( soon to be 9) when he is ready and then buy something to hand down to the younger son ( 3 yo) when he's ready.

Hi jstand,

If you pay cash, I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t have your three year old son recorded as the legal owner now.

Just sayn'

In reply to RX Reven':

Yeah, don't let him know he owns it or he and the car will disappear during his "Angry Teen" phase.

There is possibly some cross shopping with Kia (Soul) and Hyundai (Veloster), probably wanting to shore up some more market share. My fiance wants the next (new) car purchase to be an Abarth. This certainly is an added inducement.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Wally wrote: I have to look into this, we drive the wheels off our cars, the wife is at 330k so resale a nd transfering mean nothing to us, but a warantee could be nice.

A warranty only means you don't get a bill when they keep your car for 18mos over the next 2 years. You could end up having to take the bus.

Good point, with my nearest dealer about 60 miles away I don't know how often I'd be running back

The warranty allows them to use remanufactured parts, they'll only use new parts if remanufactured parts are not available...

As long as they keep doing it over and over again...

Is it the "Warranty Forever?"

Warranty Forever Thread

In reply to Spinout007:

And towing is included in the warranty.......best question, is fiat honoring the pre-fiat takeover chrysler lifetime warranty?

Just expect if you lose an engine in a few years they total the car out instead of fixing it.

I'm a bit bummed at what a flop the Abarth seems to be. I've yet to see one in person.

Not that I was buying one anytime soon (or at all), but I was really stoked about this car when it was announced.

Not many dealers have any Abarths. Holt Fiat here in Fort Worth claims to be the 1 Abarth dealer in the country, or some such,and they have maybe 6 at any one time.

Not exactly Camry or F150 stock numbers.

The warranty reminds me of the Saab 2stroke lifetime warranty from back in the day.

gamby wrote: I'm a bit bummed at what a flop the Abarth seems to be. I've yet to see one in person. Not that I was buying one anytime soon (or at all), but I was really stoked about this car when it was announced.

Yeah? I thought it was reviewing fairly well? IIRC, GRM likes it.

JThw8 enjoys his - http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/2012-abarth-build-and-impressions/54194/page1/

Luke wrote:

gamby wrote: I'm a bit bummed at what a flop the Abarth seems to be. I've yet to see one in person. Not that I was buying one anytime soon (or at all), but I was really stoked about this car when it was announced.

Yeah? I thought it was reviewing fairly well? IIRC, GRM likes it. JThw8 enjoys his - http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/2012-abarth-build-and-impressions/54194/page1/

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly call it a flop, its just a limited number car so there aren't many out there. It is just now getting to the point where the original pre-orders are all being filled and you can find one on a lot. It does however seem that I'm in the minority of owners who bought this to DD the wheels off of it. Many of them are ending up as garage queens and weekend toys so that may explain why you aren't seeing many yet.

They look like great cars. I'd entertain the idea of one but the back seat looks difficult to fit a kid seat in. Still, it looks more spacious than a Miata.

JThw8 wrote:

Luke wrote:

gamby wrote: I'm a bit bummed at what a flop the Abarth seems to be. I've yet to see one in person. Not that I was buying one anytime soon (or at all), but I was really stoked about this car when it was announced.

Yeah? I thought it was reviewing fairly well? IIRC, GRM likes it. JThw8 enjoys his - http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/2012-abarth-build-and-impressions/54194/page1/

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly call it a flop, its just a limited number car so there aren't many out there. It is just now getting to the point where the original pre-orders are all being filled and you can find one on a lot. It does however seem that I'm in the minority of owners who bought this to DD the wheels off of it. Many of them are ending up as garage queens and weekend toys so that may explain why you aren't seeing many yet.

This. But there are two I see as DDs around Huntsville.

Also sexiest exhaust note in a car under $30k.

interesting. just went to the fiatusa site to take another look at the abarth, and they've got an announcement for the 2013 500 turbo. looks like they're filling in the space between the regular 500 and the abarth...

Chrysler has been doing this for years. I purchased a brand-new 2008 Avenger R/T, loaded, with the lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty. Literally EVERYTHING that isn't a wear item is covered by a single $100 deductible per visit at any Chrysler dealer nationwide.

Shocks? $100 Sat Nav? $100 Blown headgasket? $100 New Transmission? $100

Unfortunately, my ex-wife took that car with her when she disappeared.