Is Toyota taking a step backwards? I think so.

[Boji]

Originally Posted by yadax3

2007 - glove compartment w/pocket for owners manual, larger door pockets, pointed front end (w/o license plate looks best), wheel covers, overall techie look and feel, cheaper oil changes

Cheaper oil changes? This is the first time I've heard this--I was told by the dealer that there was no change in maintenance from the 09 Prius. What were you told?

[paprius4030]

Originally Posted by Boji

Cheaper oil changes? This is the first time I've heard this--I was told by the dealer that there was no change in maintenance from the 09 Prius. What were you told?

I think he was comparing the 07 with the 10. The Gen 2 does have cheaper oil changes if you run dino oil in an 07.

[Boji]

Originally Posted by paprius4030

I think he was comparing the 07 with the 10. The Gen 2 does have cheaper oil changes if you run dino oil in an 07.

Really?! Why is that??? This is news to me... do you know what the price difference is?

[maomao]

Originally Posted by Boji

Really?! Why is that??? This is news to me... do you know what the price difference is?

GIII requires 0W20 synthetic oil that is much more expensive. Oil chage runs up to $70 including labor. Please see other posts here about that.

[Boji]

Originally Posted by maomao

GIII requires 0W20 synthetic oil that is much more expensive. Oil chage runs up to $70 including labor. Please see other posts here about that.

Many thanks for this. It seems I was ill informed!

[cossie1600]

synthetic last longer and offer more protection , the argument for cost benefit is a not right to me. 10 doesn't have drivebelts that's a saving isn't it?

[Boji]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

synthetic last longer and offer more protection , the argument for cost benefit is a not right to me. 10 doesn't have drivebelts that's a saving isn't it?

That's true. Synthetic oils are the future, I just didn't think that it was REQUIRED now for the Gen III.

[cossie1600]

They used semi-synthetic from the factory, so not quite the real stuff. Still, they are all better than conventional oil, you can definitely extend the drain interval to longer if you get the full synthetic like Mobil 1/Amsoil/Castrol. I get free oil changes from the dealer, so I will see if I am going to full castrol or mobil 1 later

[yadax3]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

synthetic last longer and offer more protection , the argument for cost benefit is a not right to me. 10 doesn't have drivebelts that's a saving isn't it?

If I have to get the oil changed every 5K miles, I don't know how it benefits me that a synthetic will last longer because I'll be replacing it just as often. I'm not a mechanic (nor a he) but the drivebelt argument certainly isn't reflected in the cost of pre-paid maintenance plans, which increased by $200 or $50 per year/13K miles for the 2010 Prius due to the need for synthetic oil.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by Boji

Cheaper oil changes? This is the first time I've heard this--I was told by the dealer that there was no change in maintenance from the 09 Prius. What were you told?

That might be part of a special offer to get rid of the 2009 models. As far as I know, no Toyota model in Canada has no-charge maintenance. Besides, the maintenance cost on a Toyota is really cheap.