Aeggroup, We were in an idential situation about 4 years ago. The vehicle had been totally perfect and we were approaching the end of the factory warranty. We already had a good independent mechanic and had be servicing the vehicle faithfully. So, we decided to "bank" the cost of the extended warranty and bet that we'd come out ahead.

There must be a secret transmission devise that communicates with the factory "hey, I'm out of warranty" because that car broke things I'd never even heard of "Sorry sir, but your direct cassette has gone bad" "But, I don't listen to cassettes" "No, it's tells the engine management system where the crankshaft is during firing" "Is that part very expensive?" "No, not at all...but we have to take the entire engine appart to get to it." And that car was no where near as mechancially and electrically sophisticated as our current cars are. The 4 repairs in 14 months were more than twice what I would have paid for the warranty, and I'm not counting the time I was stranded out of state for 3 days.

Like a previous poster said, I like my cars at 100% all of the time ~ if they aren't, I hand them the keys and put miles on their complimentry loaners until their back in tip top shape.