For those who have them, are they both good ideas or not? Or is one option preferable to the other?

It's something I'm interested in, but not at the prices I've been quoted from my local dealer...I'm looking online to find a cheaper quote...

 

I would definitely get the extended warranty plan. It's a must on these cars. The maintenance plan is a joke, you don't really need to do a lot to the car until 60k miles other than your regular oil chances/fluids/filters etc.

However, once the 30k or 3 year warranty runs out, you're SOL. Get the premium extended care from Ford. You could probably get the 5 year 60k mile extended warranty for like $800. I think they ask about $1400. Negotiate with the finance person. My new 5.0 needed a new tranny so I *****ed and moaned and they gave me 7 year 100k mile extended warranty for an unheard price. Usually they are about $2,000.

I say yes, they're def worth it. Some might have different opinions but in the long run, you will spend more than $2000 in parts/labor than for the plan.

 

Meh, way I see it they have to make money or break even on them, and they more than likely make money off of it. If they lose money, then someone messed up. Probability I suspect generally favors not getting them, though you do eliminate a lot of possible outliers by getting it, since there is a small chance it all falls apart outside basic warranty but inside extended, which could be expensive.

Addendum to the above: Now if you get it at some sick deal, that changes everything.

 

Here is the best prices I've found yet for the Ford ESP:

http://www.floodfordesp.com/index.php

 

Hey bud, I have sold several Ford ESP plans to fellow members at discounted prices. If your interested in pricing, drop me a PM. I put one on my car back in 2006. Its almost up, but its just piece of mind for me with the little things (power stuff, electrics, etc). For how little Ford is now charging for these (with the inclusion of a powertrain warranty, Ford lowered the prices of the ESPs across the boards). If your going to keep the car for the length of a loan, for the little price increase, its worth it.

 

I get the mechanical breakdown insurance from Geico when I purchase new cars. It's a couple of bucks per month. Here's the skinny:

1. Has to be purchased when the car is less than 15 months old and can be cancelled at anytime.
2. $250 deductible per covered loss.
3. Good for 100k miles

It covers me in the event that something really expensive happens. My family has driven three Fords ('07 Fusion/60kmiles, '05 F150/102k miles, '99 Ranger/115kmiles) with this insurance and so far it has worked out cheaper than buying 100k mile extended warranties. The F150 was probably a wash. I spent $1250 in deductibles on it. The Fusion has been the most reliable by far: 60k miles and not one single breakdown. I've never driven a car this long with without having something break (Toyota included).

For me the MBI has been much more cost effective.