Tom

Tom,

Q I bought my 2006 Chevy Impala LS in September 2008, and the dealer

sold me a warranty for the car, which cost $1,800. It doesn’t cover anything
on the car except the inside of the motor and the inside of the transmission. I
know this because I had to replace the power steering hose ($140), the
steering column shaft ($550), and the transmission lines ($175). All this stuff
should have been covered by the four-month dealership warranty that I
received from the dealership that closed down two weeks after I bought the
car. I called GM, and all they could offer is a shoulder to cry on and no help
with financing to fix these things. Do you have any suggestions?

Gil—Fort    Worth,  Texas

Gil,

A The warranty you bought is probably an extended warranty that a private

company administrates. Based on what you described, it is a
powertrain/drivetrain warranty. Powertrain/drivetrain warranties cover only
the components that move the car: the engine, transmission, and sometimes
differentials and gearboxes. Read the warranty information closely and
contact the warranty company. They should be able to answer any questions
you have. On a side note, you may be able to determine what you paid for by
simply reading the warranty explanations within the paperwork you got from
the dealer. Sometimes the answers to our questions are right in front of us.
Success to you.