(This is the last post of the 8-part series An investing-friendly car buying guide.)

You got your car. Congratulations! The car has at least two to three months of dealer warranty to cover for any problem in its early days (unless you bought it from a private seller, in which case you are on your own). Also, depending on the car’s age, it may still carry the remaining balance of the original factory warranty that you should be able to use.

These are good to have, but not enough, even nearly enough. You still need few additional years of comprehensive coverage for most common and some rare problems that can occur. Modern cars carry expensive parts and many automated features, all of which are prone to frequent failures and require costly repairs that can add up over long term.

The popular choice among companies offering extended warranty for used cars is Warranty Direct. At a cost of $1000 or thereabout, you can buy a multi-year coverage for your car that rivals the best factory warranty in the market, and even includes the coveted wear-and-tear coverage. The package also offers a number of useful services such as 24-hour emergency road assistance, hotel fare and rental reimbursement during the period of repair. Read here for a detailed discussion on extended warranty.

This is the end of this guide. Hope it helps you find your next car. Here are some more links on car buying tips and guides. Good luck and happy hunting!

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