Is the Buick Extended Warranty Worth It?

• Buick owners can choose between two extended warranties.
• Buick extended warranty coverage is counted from the time you purchase a plan, not the in-service date. 
• It’s a good idea to compare Buick’s extended warranty with other third-party options on the market. 

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

A Buick extended warranty can be an effective way to save money on emergency repairs as your car ages out of the factory warranty. In this review, we’ll discuss Buick’s extended warranty plans in depth so you can make an informed decision on whether additional coverage fits your needs. We’ll take a look at coverage options, cost, advantages and disadvantages, and more.

It’s also helpful to consider the variety of Buick warranty options you have from third-party providers. We’ve reviewed the best extended car warranty companies to make it easier for drivers to find the right plans. Take a look at a few of our recommended providers below and compare free, personalized quotes.

Top Extended Warranty Companies

We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks. 

Best Overall	Best for Older Vehicles	Best Prices
Endurance	CARCHEX	CarShield
Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote
(877) 374-1840	(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761

Buick Extended Warranty Overview

Buick is a member of the General Motors (GM) family of brands, along with Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC. Since GM is their shared manufacturer, each of these brands have similar extended warranty plans. There are two Buick extended warranties options: the Extended Limited Warranty and the Platinum Protection Plan. 

Buick Extended Limited Warranty

The Extended Limited Warranty is just like it sounds. It simply extends the New Vehicle Limited Warranty that comes with each new Buick, which acts as the bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage. New Buicks are covered for three years or 36,000 miles, and the Buick extended warranty increases the limit to five years or 60,000 miles. 

The 2020 factory powertrain warranty already lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, so the Buick Extended Limited Warranty does not change powertrain coverage.

You may have heard that the Extended Limited Warranty can cover up to six years or 70,000 miles. This is only applicable to 2018 and 2019 model year vehicles. Those vehicles received factory warranties one year longer than warranties for 2020 models. 

Buick Platinum Protection Plan

The Platinum Protection Plan is the second type of Buick extended warranty coverage. Unlike the Extended Limited Warranty, this coverage plan is offered through AMT Warranty Corporation, a third-party provider. This warranty can cover up to five years or 60,000 miles, and coverage begins when you purchase a plan. 

A vehicle is eligible if it is from 2011 or later and has less than 80,000 miles, meaning the plan can cover your Buick for a maximum of 140,000 miles. You can get coverage in the following increments: 

• 2 years/24,000 miles
• 3 years/36,000 miles
• 4 years/48,000 miles
• 5 years/60,000 miles

The Platinum Protection Plan is an exclusionary warranty that covers over 1,000 parts and is similar to Buick’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. However, it doesn’t cover quite as many parts as the original warranty since it comes with a longer list of exclusions. 

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the Platinum Plan’s covered parts and systems: 

• Brakes
• Engine
• Steering
• Electrical
• Drive axle
• Transmission
• Transfer case
• Air conditioning
• Seals and gaskets
• Enhanced electrical
• Turbocharger/supercharger

Buick Extended Warranty Advantages & Disadvantages

There are a few advantages to Buick’s extended warranty. Some manufacturers only offer one plan, but Buick lets you choose between two options. The Platinum Plan’s maximum coverage length of 140,000 miles is also longer than most other factory extended warranties. 

On the other hand, Buick’s coverage options have some downsides. For example, you have to go to a GM dealership for repairs, but this does include other branded dealerships in the GM family. However, you can’t pick your favorite mechanic down the road and expect repairs to be covered under warranty. The Platinum Plan does offer some repair flexibility. If a driver can’t access a GM dealership, repairs can be performed at a licensed repair shop with prior authorization.

Another downside to the Platinum Plan is that your car is only eligible if it has fewer than 80,000 miles. You might not know if you want to extend coverage at that point, but you can’t wait any longer to decide.

The only time you can purchase the Extended Limited Warranty is when you buy a new Buick vehicle. Your Buick is no longer eligible for coverage once it’s driven off the lot. Also, this warranty cannot be cancelled, but it is fully transferable to secondary buyers. 

Exclusions

We mentioned that the Platinum Protection Plan doesn’t cover as many parts as the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty. Here are a few example exclusions:

• Exterior trim
• Cosmetic items
• Catalytic converter
• Emission vapor sensors
• All exhaust components
• Batteries and battery cables
• Regular maintenance services
• Standard transmission clutch assembly
• Damage from misuse or improper maintenance

Added Benefits

The Buick Platinum Plan also comes with a few extra benefits: 

• Lockout services
• Rental car coverage
• Trip interruption reimbursement
• 24-hour roadside assistance and towing services

The Buick Extended Limited Warranty is transferable for free, and the protection plans are transferable for a $75 fee. Both types of plans come with a $0 deductible.

The Platinum Protection Plan is also cancellable for a full refund within 60 days if you haven’t used the coverage. After that, you can get a prorated refund. Most extended warranties are refundable during the first 30 days, so Buick gets a point for offering a longer money-back guarantee period. 

Buick Reliability

Buick vehicles offer average reliability. A Buick isn’t as dependable as a Honda or Toyota, but it’s more reliable than many other American and European brands. RepairPal, a cost estimation site, gives Buick a 3.5 out of 5.0-star rating, ranking the manufacturer 13th out of 32 car brands.

Buick owners pay about $608 per year for maintenance and repairs, which is just under the industry average of $652. Below are a few commonly reported Buick repairs (via RepairPal). 

Buick Model	Repair or Replacement	Estimated Repair Costs
Buick LaCrosse	Door lock actuator replacement	$228 to $279
Buick Lucerne	Head gasket replacement	$1,633 to $1,995
Buick Lucerne	Radiator replacement	$646 to $844
Buick Rainier	Fuel pump replacement	$687 to $750

However, vehicles are more prone to repairs as they age. According to AAA, vehicles 10 years or older are twice as likely to sustain a mechanical breakdown. While 10 years may seem like a long time to own a car, car ownership has lengthened in the past few years. In a 2019 new release, Information Handling Services (IHS) Markit found “the average age of light vehicles in operation (VIO) in the U.S. has risen again… to 11.8 years.”

Your existing coverage can also impact an extended car warranty’s cost effectiveness. You don’t want to pay for extra coverage you already have.

For 2020 Buick vehicles, the factory bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, and the powertrain warranty lasts for five years or 60,000 miles. For 2018 and 2019 vehicles, bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage last for four years or 50,000 miles and six years or 70,000 miles, respectively. 

Buick also has a certified pre-owned (CPO) program. These vehicles come with a longer powertrain warranty of six years or 100,000 miles. CPO Buicks also come with an extra 12 months or 12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage. This additional coverage begins from the CPO’s sale, or is added on to the original bumper-to-bumper warranty if it is still in effect.

Buick Extended Warranty Cost

How much is a Buick extended warranty? It’s an important question. A worthwhile extended auto warranty should cost less than out-of-pocket repairs. With Buick’s online shopping tool, you can get an instant quote for a Platinum Protection Plan. Drivers interested in an Extended Limited Warranty quote should reach out to a Buick dealership directly.

Here’s a Platinum Protection Plan quote for a 2017 Buick Lacrosse with between 30,000 and 60,000 miles on the odometer:

Platinum Protection Plan Term	Pay-in-Full Price	Monthly Price
2 years/24,000 miles	$2,294.25	$165.42 for 14 months with a down payment of $99.12
3 years/36,000 miles	$3,062.80	$148.80 for 21 months with a down payment of $99.20
4 years/48,000 miles	$3,602.40	$175.85 for 21 months with a down payment of $99.15
5 years/60,000 miles	$3,782.90	$184.90 for 21 months with a down payment of $99.10

These prices are within the average range for the industry, though you can probably find better prices from other providers. Based on our data, the average extended car warranty costs $2,601 for between three and seven years of coverage.

Are Extended Auto Warranties Worth the Money?

It’s important to consider the pros and cons of extended car warranties to see if they are worth it for your situation. An extended warranty may be worth the money if you aren’t able to pay for expensive repairs out of pocket, or if you want to keep your auto budget more constant. 

One of the main benefits of an extended car warranty is peace of mind. You may not use the warranty to its full extent, but it can save you from footing a $1,000 emergency repair and dealing with the related stress.

Other Options for Extended Car Warranty Coverage

If you want more repair facility options, or want to cover your car beyond 140,000 miles, it may be a good idea to consider reputable third-party vehicle service contracts. Third-party companies can match Buick’s coverage and added benefits, but often for a cheaper price.

Remember, once your vehicle has more than 80,000 miles or you’ve driven it off the lot, it isn’t eligible for a Buick extended warranty. You can get a wide range of plans from third-party providers well beyond these limitations. Some providers can even cover up to 250,000 miles. 

Before you sign on an extended warranty from the Buick dealership, compare quotes from multiple providers to see what’s available for your Buick. Click below to receive free, no-obligation quotes from our top picks.

Top Extended Warranty Companies

We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks. 

Best Overall	Best for Older Vehicles	Best Prices
Endurance	CARCHEX	CarShield
Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote
(877) 374-1840	(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761

Original article: Is the Buick Extended Warranty Worth It?

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Editor’s Choice: An Alternative Top 10 for 2020

This time each year, we gather our web and social media stats and pick the ten most popular custom motorcycles of the year. Once we’ve got that out of our system, I have the daunting task of throwing the stats out the window—and picking my personal favorites.

It was an especially tough gig this year, with a global pandemic doing little to slow down the enthusiasm and creativity of the custom scene’s best builders. My ‘short list’ started with 40 bikes, and took weeks to whittle down. And in that time, a couple of late entries upset the apple cart too.

As is tradition, any bikes that feature on our first Top 10 are automatically eliminated from this list. This time around, those were WiMoto’s eye-popping Honda CBX1000, and Scott Kolb’s masterful BMW racer, both of which scored high for me.

This year’s list is eclectic, loaded with traditional craftsmanship and new-school tech in equal measures, and with competing quantities of aluminum and carbon fiber. Just like last year, performance has been a big drawcard. And as an added surprise, kit builds are on the rise; at least three of the below bikes were built without hacking the donor bike underneath.

Here are my ten favorite custom motorcycles of 2020, listed alphabetically by builder name… because having to rank them would be torture.

Ducati Hypermotard by Analog Motorcycles From the first entry on this year’s list, it’s immediately clear that we have a thing for quirky race bikes. And this track-ready 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 is about as good as they come.

Tony Prust built it to compete in the ARHMA’s ‘Battle of the Twins 2’ class, and in true Analog fashion he left no stone unturned.

For starters, this 796 is now an 840, with a revised intake and exhaust, a quickshifter and a DynoJet Power Commander to tune it. The suspension, wheels and brakes are all from a Hypermotard 1100S, and feature Race Tech suspension internals, and an adjustable rear linkage from Ducabike.

Tony also went after the Ducati’s bodywork, swapping many of the panels for carbon fiber parts, and fabricating an aluminum tailpiece and side covers. This Hypermotard has everything from new controls to a full complement of titanium bolts, and even a cable management system from Tony’s main sponsor, WireCare.

It now weighs 33 pounds less than stock, and makes 12 hp more. It’s also drop dead gorgeous, and a no-brainer for our Top 10. [More]

BMW R18 by Blechmann BMW farmed their new R18 cruiser out to custom builders before it even hit showrooms. The enigmatic Austrian builder Bernhard Naumann (A.K.A. Blechmann) was on the list—and his interpretation of the mammoth boxer is downright otherworldly.

In true Blechmann style, this R18 features heaps of hand-formed aluminum and a somewhat organic, almost alien visage. The more angles you look at Blechmann’s R18 from, the more you realize just how intricate it is—and how well it flows.

Note how the fairing reaches over the cockpit, and how the whole design tapers down to the sporty tail unit. Up front is a split headlight housing that echoes the kidney grills on BMW cars. And on the sides are finned sections with BMW roundels, which hide stealthy turn signals.

Much of the original bike still remains under the hand-made parts, with a classic BMW paint job keeping things on brand. The whole effect works so well, Blechmann’s even made the R18’s worst feature—its standard fishtail exhausts—look good. All that’s missing is a pair of hard cases, and this would be the perfect neo-futuristic bagger. [More]

Yamaha XR9 by Bottpower This ferocious Yamaha XSR900 landed in our inboxes late in the year—but the moment it did, we knew it belonged on this list. David Sánchez and the highly capable Bottpower crew built it for Yamaha’s Yard Built program, where the mandate is to customize a bike without chopping up the donor. They took it a step further: the ‘XR9’ is now available as a kit for the XSR900, MT-09 and Tracer 9.

If you’ve been following Bottpower for a while, you’ll spot shades of their BOTT XR1R Pikes Peak race bike, which is where they got their inspiration. The idea was to build an oversized, race-bred motard, and make it street legal.

The design is aggressive and muscular, with all of the visual mass directed forward. The kit includes a full complement of bolt-on carbon fiber bodywork, designed to fit over the Yamaha’s frame and stock fuel cell.

Bottpower’s prototype bike also sports tasty upgrades like carbon fiber wheels from Rotobox, Ceracarbon forks, Öhlins bits and an Akrapovič exhaust. Oh, and it’s almost 64 pounds lighter than stock, too. [More]

BMW K1600 B by Custom Works Zon This year started out with a swift kick to the jaw, thanks to the dynamic duo of Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda at Japan’s Custom Works Zon. This wild K-series BMW was the first feature of 2020, instantly turning on the pressure for anyone who dared follow.

Dubbed ‘Stealth Crow,’ Yoshizawa-san describes it as a “luxury racer; the image of a quickly flying crow, like a stealth machine.” It fits the description well, but the crazy part is that the whole thing’s built on BMW’s gigantic, six-cylinder K1600 B tourer. What’s more, everything you see here is plug and play, without any major changes to the donor.

CW Zon first built an aluminum prototype of the K’s new bodywork, then worked with an auto specialist, Studio Allica, to produce the final parts in carbon fiber. And they built a custom reservoir to relocate the fuel to under the seat, too.

Not only does the new body kit radically change the K’s stance and lines, but it’s also been designed to integrate much of the OEM bits—like the original dash and keyless start button. Finishing touches include custom handlebars, a pleated saddle, and a set of double white pin stripes over the exposed carbon weave. [More]

Triumph Bonneville TT Special by Hello Engine There’s something about a perfectly executed classic Triumph dirt bike that’s impossible to ignore. And no one builds them quite like Hayden Roberts at Hello Engine.

Hayden built this TT special for sound effects editor Randy Torres, who lives out in Pioneertown, California; perfect desert racing territory. But Randy’s Triumph leans more towards TT racing than full on ‘sledding,’ with much inspiration coming from old photos of the famed Ascot Park speedway.

Hayden pieced the Bonneville together from scratch, using parts he either already had in the workshop, or found at swap meets. It features a 1963 frame from an old Ascot race bike, which came with a modified swing arm for a disc brake. The motor’s from a 1970 Bonneville, rebuilt with hop-up mods and a CDI ignition.

Other changes include an original set of race bars, rebuilt Girling shocks off a BSA, and a new Bates-style seat from the Hello Engine catalog. The stickers are all period correct, as is the Lucas headlight cover—but there’s a modern Hella light hiding under it.

And that unusual tank paint? It’s off a 67 Bonnie, mounted as-is, just the way Hayden likes it. [More]

BMW R100 ‘Good Ghost’ by Kingston Custom This extraordinary BMW custom showcases Dirk Oehlerking’s craftsmanship in the most unapologetic way. But it’s not just the metalwork that’s special—this machine forms part of a trilogy, and the aesthetic evolution through all three builds is something to behold.

Dubbed ‘Good Ghost’ and commission by the Haas Moto Museum, it follows on from Kingston’s White Phantom and Black Phantom BMWs, with the same art deco vibe.

Park them all next to each other, and the evolution is clear; White Phantom has both its wheels exposed, Black Phantom has its rear wheel wrapped in bodywork, and Good Ghost is fully enclosed.

The full body fairing’s an aluminum affair, complete with a recessed headlight and a BMW 328 Roadster-inspired grill. The exquisitely upholstered seat flows seamlessly into the custom ‘dashboard,’ while the exhaust gently traces the body right to the tail.

There’s even storage for wine, glasses, a tool kit, and a vintage silverware set.

Is it practical? Definitely not. But it doesn’t really matter, either. Kingston’s Good Ghost is a tour de force, and hands down one of the most impressive builds of the year. [More]

Harley-Davidson Softail by Suicide Machine Company Born Free is mostly a chopper show—but brothers Aaron and Shaun Guardado prefer bikes that match their slogan: “Fast Loud Deathproof.” So when SMCO was invited to bring a custom Harley to Born Free, it was only ever going to be a wily street tracker.

Starting with a 107 ci Softail Standard, SMCO knocked off a whopping 160 pounds and added a host of engine and chassis upgrades.

The motor features a bunch of S&S Cycle internals, and breathes through 45 mm Mikuni carb, thanks to a carb-friendly ECU from Speed Merchant. SMCO also installed CeraCarbon forks with Öhlins internals, a Speed Merchant swingarm, a custom Gears Racing shock and featherlight carbon wheels from Blackstone TEK.

Most of the weight was axed by replacing the Harley’s clunky bodywork with a monocqoue carbon fiber unit, designed by Alex Earle. Aaron and Shaun also fabricated a custom fuel cell and new subframe, and twin titanium exhaust headers that flow into a pair of Austin Racing mufflers.

Along with a laundry list of other upgrades, it’s a rowdy take on Harley’s most basic Softail—and another knockout from the Guardado bros. [More]

Suzuki GT380 by The Motoworks The best custom builders are those that can look at a stock motorcycle, and see something completely different. Sean Pelletier started with a standard mid-70s Suzuki GT380 two-stroke, and envisioned a tidy neo-retro cafe racer that looks like nothing else out there.

What’s really interesting is how Sean built this bike. On a mission to eliminate guesswork and streamline the custom build progress, he partnered with industrial designer Jeremy Lacy to map out the entire project in 3D software.

The idea was to break the bike down to a series of parts that could be fabricated, then assembled like a giant Meccano set.

The tech used included SolidWorks, the MOTA engine simulation program, and Tony Foale’s suspension modeling software. From there, Sean built everything—from the fuel- and oil-in-frame chassis, to the rear suspension linkages, wheel hubs and exhaust system.

He also fabricated a secondary fuel cell, and shaped the bodywork from fiberglass, using CNC-machined molds. With a host of performance add-ons and resplendent in a pearlescent warm white, Sean’s GT380 is the poster child for thinking outside the box. [More]

Kawasaki drag bike by Thrive The Indonesian custom scene isn’t short on creativity, but this bonkers twin-engine drag bike takes the cake. It was built by superstar shop Thrive as a prize for a local contest called ‘Wheels of Inspiration.’ Entrants had to submit a story about their dream bike, and the winner would have their personal bike customized by Thrive.

The winner had a Kawasaki Ninja 150RR and a love for Burt Munro. Thrive took inspiration from Bud Hare’s ‘Dubble Trubble’ twin-engined dragster from the 50s, and sent the motor off to master engine builder Yosef Gumilar at Prama Motorworks.

What came back was a twin-engined setup with a modded ignition, ported and flowed heads, racing crankshafts, a lightened flywheel and a quick-shifter. Thrive added a pair of Lectron carbs, and a one-off stainless steel exhaust system from local specialists Kawahara.

Everything’s crammed into a handcrafted aluminum chassis, with a custom flip-up monocoque body and a host of pick-‘n-mix parts. Reportedly, this twin-engined creation goes like a “bangin’ short range cruise missile.” [More]

Deus x Zero SR/S by Michael ‘Woolie’ Woolaway We’re positive about the future of electric motorcycles, and that positivity is stoked every time a talented custom builder gets their hands on one. This sleek Zero SR/S was Woolie’s first electric build, and his last project as head wrench at Deus ex Machina USA.

Aiming to strike a balance between new tech and classic style, Woolie visualized the Zero’s carbon fiber bodywork by first hand-shaping it out of foam.

Then he called in some help: a couple of Lockheed Martin engineers specc’d out the material layout, and Taylor Made Racing shaped the final pieces. The entire thing is just three parts, attached to four points on the bike.

Woolie’s SR/S is also sporting a Saddlemen seat pad, and winglets cut from actual F1 parts. It has a full stack of upgrades too, like WSBK-spec Showa suspension, carbon fiber Dymag wheels and J.Juan brakes.

Finished off with a restrained combo of clear-coated carbon and scallop pin-striping, it’s as elegant as it is intriguing. Thanks to builds like this, the future of custom electric motorcycles sure looks bright. [More]

EDITOR’S NOTE It’s always painful to cap the list at 10, and so there are a handful of stellar builds that all deserve an honorable mention. Those are Rough Crafts’ 10th anniversary H-D Softail (above), Luuc Muis’ ultra-modern Moto Guzzi V85, Edi Buffon’s charming Gilera, Rick Hannah’s inch-perfect Kawasaki W650 desert sled, and the Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 that Bad Winners built for F1 racer Charles Leclerc.

On a personal note, I’d like to thank the builders and photographers that create all of this eye candy, our advertisers and readers, Chris, and our new family at Iron & Air. 2020 has been undeniably tough on everyone—but we’ve made it through, and we’re looking to 2021 with a fresh perspective and a renewed drive.

Happy New Year, and we’ll see you again in a few days.

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