I bought a used car without getting an extended warranty. I had been told by ex-car salesman that they're mostly BS and a lot of the time, when things go wrong, the dealership will chalk it up to "normal wear and tear" or you not taking proper car of the car and dismiss it. it's funny, the salesman will go on and on about how great the car is...but then urges you to buy the extended warranty in case it suddenly stops being a good car and craps out. I think if you have a general understanding of cars, it's not necessary. The pricey extended warranty would've run out for me by now, and I've never needed it. but i've been told by several people that extended warranties are for suckers.