It's not a question of 'mechanical ability', really. Frankly, there are few things the average or even advanced mechanic can do these days to modern vehicles without an array of specialized tools and even licensed-to-dealer-only computer equipment/programs. There's not ANY repair/teardown/rebuild I haven't done in my life on both gasoline and diesel engined cars and trucks, but you're pretty well boned without the abovementioned items. For example, my Volvo uses a system called VADIS for pretty much every function of the car and all diagnostics. Without VADIS, most repair attempts are futile. Obviously I am not talking oil changes and minor shiit like this here....lol. And as I get older, I really don't relish the idea of taking apart and rebuilding a transmission or rear end or engine when I can make a phone call and have someone ELSE do it....

 

If you don't have one of these extended warranty/service plans - don't buy it. If you have one, cancel it if you can. Never buy extended service plans - over your lifetime, it will be cheaper to be self-insured.

 

I've had my truck for 5 years now and always have the dealer perform the maintenance. It's cost me a little over a $1k so far. If you could get the plan for under $1K it seems like a good deal. $2.5k is a flat out rip off. If you read the fine print it's interesting to see whats NOT covered:

Service adjustments and cleaning, batteries of all
types and cables, belts and hoses, brakes (front hub,
drums, disc rotors, pads), shoes, wheel balancing and
alignment, linings, coolant, exhaust system (includes
catalytic converter), filters, fluids, lubricants, lights
(bulbs, sealed beam, lenses), manual clutch disc,
shock absorbers, spark plugs and wires, tune-ups,
wiper blades, squeaks and rattles

 

When I got my truck She was a little more than a year old with only 9,000 miles on her. I still had 20 months and 27,000 miles on the factory warranty. I waived the extended warranty because my truck is FORD Certified so I get 6 yrs/100,000 mile warranty on the engine,computer,drivetrain. I figured thats good enough because if any of my electronics fail I will just replace them 1 at a time.

 

With that list of what's not covered, why would anyone buy it.

 

When buying an extended maintenance plan, if you roll it into your initial bank loan, it ends up costing more than just paying for the maintenance when needed.

 

I know everybody here is pro Ford, including me. I have a new XLT on order. But I don't understand why Ford has the worst warranty between what I consider the main pick-up manufacturers. I have a new ecoboost ordered and am reasonably confident that it has been well tested. But it wouldn't hurt Ford to have a bumper to bumper of at least 5yr 50 thousand mi. Just my opinion.

 

I'm curious . . . What other TRUCK manufacturer offers a 5 year / 50,000 mile bumper to bumper.

and explain how FORD has the WORSE warranty compared to the other major TRUCK manufacturers?

 

those are "regular wear/tear and maintenance items",
A premium maint program includes WHATEVER items are recommended at the regular service intervals in your users manual (including extras like wiper blades, brake pads, and a few more extras.

The FORD ESP covers another 500 items.