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Toyota Care Plus worth it?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by iwannaprius, Feb 4, 2012.

  1. iwannaprius

    iwannaprius Junior Member

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    I am about to buy a new 2012 Prius and was wondering if the Toyota Care Plus (prepaid maintenance) is worth it?

    I've heard that hybrids generally don't require much maintenance (correct me if I'm wrong). True or False? If false, what are things/checkpoints to look out for in terms of maintenance?

    I'm also thinking about getting the Extended Warranty when I am closer to the 36-month mark. Good idea?
     
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    No; true (follow Toyota's Scheduled Maintenance Guide, not some dealer's advice); no.

    Pre-paid maintenance is paying too much in advance for work, much of which is not needed. An extended warranty is paying too much in advance for things that will probably never break. Opinions vary but I for one get more "peace of mind" by keeping a few thousand spare dollars in my pocket instead of giving it to a dealer for Christmas.
     
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  3. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    No to both. Save your money. I have over 74,000 miles with zero repiars.
     
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  4. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

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    Judgeless: You are relentless when it comes to extended warranty :)
     
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  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    I'm not for them as well...
     
  6. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The short answer... NO
     
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    "Toyota Care Plus worth it?" No
     
  8. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    It's pre-paying for scheduled maintenance. Plus they throw in roadside assistance. <sarcasm>Woo</sarcasm>.

    The only reason to do this is if you only have one place within reasonable distance that can service your car and without pre-paid maintenance they would charge exorbitant prices.

    But then again, if they screw you over on servicing I wouldn't trust the quality of service either and I'd buy a different car.
     
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  9. iwannaprius

    iwannaprius Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone!

    In terms of the extended warranty though, what types of car problems have you guys experienced in the first 8 years?
     
  10. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Short answer is nope, provided that you are willing to shop around a bit for scheduled maintenance.
     
  11. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    I've only had my Prius for 2 years and 43k miles.

    Short answer: no problems that affect you.

    Long answer:
    - A window need a re-learn procedure. It may be my use when the windows were stuck with ice in winter that caused them to lose sync.
    - I've had 1 misfire on startup in the same way most people have - car was moved on the driveway in cold weather and then started several hours later. This is a known problem that's been fixed by a change to a part.
    - Wheel arch lining came off a clip or two: I'd been driving through some 4" to 6" snow last winter.
    - We've had a few problems caused by our dumb mistakes.
     
  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Our G2 Prius bought 9/04 had one episode that shut down the engine. I paid the towing charges, Toyota paid for a warranty reprogramming.

    No other repairs.
    Total maintenance, repairs, and upkeep: $1337 = less than one penny a mile.
     
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  13. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Prius related costs over 8 years that would have been covered by an extended warranty: 0
     
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  14. C Fan

    C Fan New Member

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    I bought the "toyota care plus" plan paying $1561 for "5 years". I walked away with the impression that I was getting the 5 years in addition to the 2 complimentary maintenance years, but it turns out that I was getting only 3 additional years. I wish the dealer (toyota sunnyvale) was explicit about what I was paying for.

    Secondly, I distinctly remember being told the care plus plan covers more maintenance items than the complimentary maintenance plan. It turns out there's hardly any difference between the two plans.

    I'd say the care plus plan isn't worth it. I'm getting it cancelled (I was told I could, fingers crossed).
     
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  15. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    Toyota Care Plus depends on two major factor price ... if you can get for reasonable price then yes. What the dealer offers is OVERPRICED .. three years ago there was someone on this list selling the same thing almost half the price that would possibly worth it. It only includes very basic (like the manual says ) so every 10k a synt oil change or 5 times over 5 year and some very basic they charge Toyota about 100 for that and tire rotation every 5K if you go plus courtesy inspection (like break) guess 50 if you pay may include 2-3 engine filter change THAT is ... I wold say again 1900 NO 900 perhaps...

    Second how much you are willing to do on your own and with independent let say tire shop/mechanic could be a lot cheaper ....

    Extended warranty ... most likely not worth it either BUT this is a probability issue if something defective in the car most likely will occur first 3 year. Anything they will claim wear and tear !!! just my 2 cents
     
  16. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

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    I think you are correct, I HAVE the maintenance plan but when I bought it in July 2009 oil change interval WAS 5k and was at least 25% more expensive then NOW. By the time oil change stuff was officially changed I was about 10k !! couldn't cancel. (and then there was no 2 year complimentary included either and paid around 1600 financed)
     
  17. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    The maintenance plans do not normally work out financially. They come close in high cost areas like NYC but they can actually be a bit of a pain since you often can not have a service done early -- Say ....if you need to go prior to a vacation trip. Also, if you have to go to another facility for any reason ... you lose that service. They do add a small amount to private resale but you loose them if you trade early or wreck the car. They are often used by companies -- anyone can take the car for service and no additional accounting needed for payment ... easy... but not cost effective.

    I would never get one on my private vehicle

    Do a search on the service plans -- lots of info.
     
  18. C Fan

    C Fan New Member

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    Just say NO to the care plus plan!

    When I was sold the 'toyota care plus' plan, there were some subtle mis-representations. I feel like a fool for having bought it, now that I know the facts. When I called to cancel, toyota sunnyvale pretended like I must be out of my mind to cancel such a sweet deal. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're looking at a care plus plan for a toyota prius:
    1. They say "5 years / 75000 miles". Don't forget that first 2 years is free from Toyota!, so you're really only paying for 3 years of not a whole lot more than oil changes & tire rotations a few times.
    2. If you're going to put on 10,000 miles a year like me, then the plan boils down to scheduled maintenance coverage for 50,000 miles only. That means you can't get any of the "major" maintenance that comes at 60k or 75k miles. How many of us put on 15k miles or more per year? I don't think very many.
    3. I was told the plus plan includes "4 major services", each of which costs $600. This is a blatant lie. I wish I had caught them on the spot by asking me to show the details of those "4 major services". I looked through the service manual for upto 50k miles (see 2 above). The only extra I got compared to the 2 year free maintenance plan was replacement of a engine air filter, and cabin air filter at 30k miles... That's it!! Even if I look all the way upto 75k miles, all I get is one more replacement of engine air filter and cabin air filter at 60k miles. There is NO WAY there are FOUR MAJOR services!
    4. Net net, I was paying $1561 for 3-4 oil changes & tire rotations, and 1 cabin air filter and 1 engine air filter. Quite a rip-off.

    I asked to cancel. They said I need to email them. Did that yesterday. Fingers crossed.
     
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  19. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    I posted this in a differnt thread on this.
    ------------
    I do not know how much it cost for the pre paid maintenance. This is what needs done up to 75,000 miles.

    The Prius comes with a free 25,000 pre paid maintenance.

    0 to 25,000 miles cost $0
    30,000 miles oil change $50, replace cabin and engine filter $30
    40,000 miles oil change $50
    50,000 miles oil change $50
    60,000 miles oil change $50, replace cabin and engine filter $30
    70,000 miles oil change $50

    Total $310

    Everything else is inspection. If they are quoting less than $310 you have a good deal. If not tell the finance guy trying to steal money from you he is a scum bag. All dealers are scum bags that use FUD to make people pay more money.

    Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/toyota-prepaid-maintenance-plans.105060/#ixzz24HSU0zcQ
     
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  20. Krish Mohan

    Krish Mohan New Member

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    Did you get your money back. Yesterday we bought a prius and was almost talked into it. It does not make sense now. Plus we will be using this for about 7-10 K per year.