1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

First Toyota Care Service

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by DoubleDAZ, Nov 18, 2014.

Page 2 of 2
  1. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    1,209
    322
    0
    Location:
    Peoria AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    And none taken, bisco. I don't have any beef with you and had no problem with the ribbing about the donuts, etc. Just get tired of the attitude shown here toward those of us who can't (or choose not to) do our own maintenance and the general disdain for dealers. People have been posting about dealers charging a lot more for an oil change and not even doing the work, so I mistakenly thought a positive experience with a dealer would have been better received. I did my due diligence as much as I could to assure myself that they did the work they were supposed to and I was surprised when they didn't charge full list for the oil/filter, etc. I didn't look past Walmart and Amazon for the cost of oil locally and have no idea what an independent shop here charges for a synthetic oil change with tire rotation, etc. Just don't understand why some have to belittle others. Maybe it helps them feel important or something. I'll try harder to ignore them in the future. :)
     
    #21 DoubleDAZ, Nov 20, 2014
    bisco and ftl like this.
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,670
    38,210
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    That should be a slamdunk, but I've lost count of the times I've taken on DIY when there's been free offers. I'm not completely averse to the pros, know my limits, and welcome them for the tough/tricky jobs. But I like to DIY the basic stuff.

    There are a few rational reasons: more control, more convenience, less time having the car tied up. Mainly it emotional though, just like doing it myself, sense of accomplishment.

    FWIW, there's no free service for the first few, up here. I'm almost grateful.
     
    #22 Mendel Leisk, Nov 20, 2014
  3. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    1,209
    322
    0
    Location:
    Peoria AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    And there's not a single thing wrong with DIY, but I object to the ridicule from a few here toward those who choose to do otherwise. After all, it's my money, time, etc. I enjoyed DIY too or I never would have worked at 2 service stations. However, we do get older (I'm going on 68) and our bodies do fail us over time (back and kidney problems). I just don't think that's a reason to ridicule people, that's all.
     
    #23 DoubleDAZ, Nov 20, 2014
  4. Nutstoyou

    Nutstoyou Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2013
    34
    14
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have nothing but respect for DIY, they are talented, dedicated people who care very much about their vehicles. However I look at this from a slightly different perspective. I have found that when I let the dealership perform the recommended maint/service this is logged into Toyota's online maint/service record. I have found that this record gives me good leverage when the time comes to buy our next toyota, because I push the dealer hard to either raise my trade in value and or drop the price of the car I'm looking to buy from them. Having the service record available (which the dealers all check when you come in to buy a car greatly increases my leverage with the dealer. If the dealer won't work with me I move to another one, and having that service record available to them shows them the car has been maintained to Toyota standards by Toyota certified techs.

    I am in no way saying any DIY maintains their car in sub-standard way or that they are not qualified to perform excellent work on their car, just that I am using Toyoyta's own service records to push for top trade in dollar amount and/or drop in the purchase price.

    It works for me.....not saying it will work for anyone else.
     
    #24 Nutstoyou, Nov 22, 2014
  5. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I liked to DIY as well but I am 77. I don't want to do it anymore. I'll just get my oil changed at Toyota, pay about $55.00, have a cup of coffee, wait about 45 minutes and I'm good for another 10,000 miles. You have a different perspective when you get older. You don't accumulate more jobs. You see how many you can eliminate. Your body just has a way of dictating that to you.
     
    #25 Okinawa, Nov 22, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    LOL, i've been trying to eliminate jobs since i was mowing my parents lawn 50 years ago.:cool:
     
    #26 bisco, Nov 22, 2014
    Ltlg likes this.
  7. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I hear that. Me too.
     
    #27 Okinawa, Nov 22, 2014
  8. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    1,209
    322
    0
    Location:
    Peoria AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Like you, I could probably do it, but I no longer want to. I strained my back the other day just kneeling down to adjust the air pressure in the tires. I also don't like the mess or having to take the oil/filter to Walmart/O'Reilly's to recycle it. I have AAA change it in my Dakota because it's only $14.95 plus tax with their coupon. I walk for exercise, so I simply drop the truck off and walk home/back, it's only a mile each way. If I really want to be efficient, I can get it changed when I see my nephrologist, she's right next door. I don't actually know what it'll cost once I have to pay for it, but I've got over 3 years/60,000+ miles until I have to find out. By then I think I'll be upgrading to a 2018/2019 model and still won't have to worry about it.
     
    #28 DoubleDAZ, Nov 22, 2014
  9. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    We are on the same page. I dislike the things you do about changing the oil. I just don't want to be bothered with it anymore.
     
    #29 Okinawa, Nov 22, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 2 of 2