Prius 30K mile service prices

[devprius]

My 2005 Prius needs it's 30K mile service done. So I started calling around to various local dealerships (Bay Area of California, specifically the Peninsula, San Bruno/Daly City/Burlingame area). They all want $300 or so for what amounts to an oil change, tire rotation, a couple of easy filter changes and a bunch of inspections. This is the same price that our 2004 Sienna w/60K miles would be charged. This is just plain mercenary on their part. I was so upset by this that I ended calling the Toyota Customer Experience line to voice my displeasure at this. Who dutifully opened up a case and promised to contact the dealer that I normally use (Melody Toyota).

Luckily, I did find a local dealership (City Toyota) that was willing to do it for much cheaper by charging me for a minor service ($89.88) plus the cost of the engine air filter ($25 or so). They also want to replace the cabin air filter for $59.95, but I figure I can buy that part seperately and do the replacement myself and save the labor. So I'll save about $150. And because they are willing to cut me a break on the Prius, I'm willing to bring the Sienna to them. I save money and they get some additional work that they would've missed out on doing.

I'd be interested in finding out if other dealers, both in the Bay Area and outside of it, are charging such outrageous prices for the Prius' scheduled maintenance.

[mbelofsky]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(devprius @ Apr 18 2006, 08:36 PM) [snapback]241816[/snapback]</div>

I'd be interested in finding out if other dealers, both in the Bay Area and outside of it, are charging such outrageous prices for the Prius' scheduled maintenance.
[/b]

My Prius should come next week. Leesburg Toyota (in Virginia) charges the following:

$135 for 5k. 10K. 20k, 25k, 35k, 40k, 50k, 55k, etc.

$247 for the 15k and 45k

$576 for the 30k

These prices seem outrageous. For the maintenance from 5K - 55K the price adds up to $2145. This makes the auto care package for list price of $995 (and the better price offered here) sound good.

The 5K includes oil change, oil, tire rotation and adjusting the rear parking brake. Although I can easily fix pinball machines I cannot really fix cars and will need to pay to do it right (and neat). Even calling local places they want to charge $110 for the service.

Thanks
Michael Belofsky
Purcellville, VA

[ScottY]

OMG... i just can't believe how these dealerships charge so much.

Why don't you bring your maintenance book to the dealer and ask them the price of each item. A lot of dealers will add things that are not needed to charge more.

The dealer I go to (Bay Ridge Toyota in Brooklyn, NY) offers a free 25 point check along with oil changes ($21.95 with coupon). That 25 point check pretty much covers most of the inspection in the maintenance book. I'll add whatever is needed according to the book. Then I will bring my Prius to a tire place and have them rotate the tires for $10. Most of the time, I do my own oil changes anyways unless is cold.

[galaxee]

scotty's got it right there.

most dealerships come up with their own "30k service" which includes a bunch of unneeded (for you) moneymakers (for them).

never mention the words "30k" and "service" together at the dealership. look up what you need, call them up, and say you need an oil change, tire rotation, and a filter change with a basic inspection of relevant parts (CV boots, brakes, etc)

this cuts them off at the pass.

[tochatihu]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(devprius @ Apr 18 2006, 05:36 PM) [snapback]241816[/snapback]</div>

...
I'd be interested in finding out if other dealers, both in the Bay Area and outside of it, are charging such outrageous prices for the Prius' scheduled maintenance.
[/b]

How about trying Art's Automotive in Berkeley?

http://www.artsautomotive.com/Hybrid.htm

[devprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Apr 19 2006, 11:09 AM) [snapback]242170[/snapback]</div>

How about trying Art's Automotive in Berkeley?

http://www.artsautomotive.com/Hybrid.htm
[/b]

If I lived in the east bay, I'd probably be happy to take it to Art's Automotive. Do you know of a similar place on the peninsula (anywhere from Daly City down to Palo Alto/Mountain View)?

[devprius]

Well, Melody Toyota got back to me rather quickly today. They appear to take customer complaints that come in through Toyota's 1-800 number rather seriously. I explained to the nice woman what my concerns were and what I had been told and the treatment I got. I pointed out that I had been taking our cars there for nearly 10 years and recently bought 2 new cars from them in 2004 and this experience made me not want to do business ever again with them. She was willing to talk to the service manager about this and said she'd call back within 30 minutes. And sure enough she did. They have agreed to do the 30K mile maintenance for the Prius for $113, which includes $89 for their minor service, and $24 for the engine air filter, which is pretty much all that the Prius requires, and they've offered a fee wash and detailing of the car. So, I will continue to bring them my business for the time being. Including the Sienna service which I was going to have done at City Toyota.

According to her, the reason I was quoted an incorrect amount for my Prius is that the service advisor I had initially talked to seem to think I had a 2003 Prius and it's maintenance costs were going to be covered by Toyota's new car warranty. Now, why he seemed to think that I had a 2003 to begin with is a mystery to me since I was pretty clear in saying I had a 2005. And if I was covered for free maintenance, why the hell was he quoting me a price for maintenance that I wasn't even going to have to pay?

The nice woman said she was gonna bring up the Prius' low maintenance nature with the regional rep to see if they can figure out a Hybrid-only, or at least, Prius-only, maintenance schedule that is more in line with what those kinds of cars need.

One interesting wrinkle in all this is that the service manager has asked that when I bring the car(s) in to ask for him and deal with him only. I'm hoping that's a positive thing.

[jburns]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(devprius @ Apr 19 2006, 07:24 PM) [snapback]242352[/snapback]</div>

One interesting wrinkle in all this is that the service manager has asked that when I bring the car(s) in to ask for him and deal with him only. I'm hoping that's a positive thing.
[/b]

Call me a cynic but it sounds like the squeeky wheel syndrome. The service manager will do what it takes to please the few that complain to Toyota so they will remain free to continue to rip off the vast majority that do not.

[devprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jburns @ Apr 22 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]243806[/snapback]</div>

Call me a cynic but it sounds like the squeeky wheel syndrome. The service manager will do what it takes to please the few that complain to Toyota so they will remain free to continue to rip off the vast majority that do not.
[/b]

Yeah, that was my thought, too. I was trying to avoid being cynical...

[hdrygas]

Well I am getting my 30K tomorrow. We shall see what it costs