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Extended Warranty for 2017 Prime (2yr - 24k miles for $1700)

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by iskoos, Mar 10, 2024.

  1. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Would you buy this service plan for a used 2017 Prius Prime Premium that is at 50k miles?

    The plan covers everything from engine, CVT, to electronics, battery etc. with a $100 deductible.

    Thanks
     
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    NO.

    Extended warranties are really nothing but insurance policies with specific exclusionary clauses.

    Cash has no exclusionary clauses.

    Extended warranty claims have to be approved by the insurance company. Your car might be in the shop and the repair may be delayed for days waiting for the approval.

    For example, the warranty may pay for replacing suspension components but not the necessary wheel alignment.

    All those commercials cost a lot of money. You, the buyer and previous buyers pay for them on top of what they pay in claims.

    If you don't use your savings for repairs, you keep all of your self insured "premiums" with any accrued interest.
     
  3. sylvaing

    sylvaing Senior Member

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    The one that would interest me allows to take it anytime with a cool off period of one month. Being able to live with just one working vehicle for a month, I would check if the insurance covers the repair I need and if it's cheaper than the cost of the repair itself (including the deductible) and if so, subscribe to the "warranty" and wait that month to have the repair done.
     
  4. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    thank you for the replies. I am always against the extended warranty/service plans as someone who works on his vehicles for almost all the maintenances and most of the certain repairs.

    I have been driving a Gen 3 Prius for the past 7 years and I am very familiar with the platform. Prius Prime is the vehicle I always wanted to get but it had to be used. So, after checking out the 2017 Prius Primes for issues, a few stand out to me.
    One was a rebooting touchscreen. Not sure how common of an issue that is but that touch screen is important for the operation of the vehicle and if something happens to that, I am not able to fix it. It needs replacing.
    The other issue I found was the malfunctioning charging system. So, I think kind of the hybrid system malfunction.
    I can take care of any mechanical issues and I do not believe I will be encountering. The Prius is a very reliable vehicle. The 2010 Gen3 Prius I am currently driving is already over 200k miles (bought it at 140k) and never visited the mechanic yet. I did all the maintenance and repairs by myself so far.

    I can do the same for the Prime. :)

    My only worry is that expensive electronic gadget (touch screen) and hybrid system faults. I didn't read the service plan so carefully yet, but I was told it would cover all that plus the traction battery issues.

    The service plan is 1700 + tax and is cancellable within the 90 days of purchase (of course the refund will be prorated for the days the plan stayed in use). And also $100 deductible will be applied. The plan is honored at any ASE certified shops and dealers.

    If I add the plan at the purchase, they will adjust some items in the final bill and will be able to give me a few hundred dollars off.

    I don't drive more than 10k miles per year. So, it will be in-effect for 2 years for me. Let's say about $60-70 per month, I will not worry about anything for 24 months.

    Yes, I can put that money aside for future repairs. (And I recommend that to everyone :)) But that touch screen alone is about $2000 to replace I was told.

    I am at 50/50 at this point. I posted here to get more input from you experience Prime drivers.

    Thank you again.
     
  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Electronics are very reliable and will generally die at an early age. If the screen has lasted as li as it has, another two years or more will probably not be an issue.

    I would be more concerned with the exhaust engine pre heater leaking. That's the "achilles heel" with any model of the Gen 4. But still the preheater and catalytic converter will be around the $2k price tag.

    Still,with either the screen or preheater, that's only a $300 dollar gamble.

    To me, it's a no brainer.
     
    #5 Georgina Rudkus, Mar 10, 2024
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2024
  6. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    "The plan is honored at any ASE certified shops and dealers."
    What does this actually mean? I do not think it means that shops & dealers are required to accept the paperwork bother and rate of payment from this service contract company.

    I agree with Georgina, and add one more thing. Not one of these outfits off a warranty. Every one of these is a prepaid repair contract. The big difference is that the consumer has more protection under warranty law than under contract law. Any sales person who calls these a warranty is a liar. Read the paperwork. It will be named a service agreement or something like that. Under contract law you are strictly required to follow whatever requirements it puts on you in order to be able to hold the other party to the terms of the contract.

    All that said, I just bought a "vehicle protection plan" for our other car, not a Toyota, because some are having total engine damage due to either a manufacturing error or a design error, and the car maker is not standing behind their mistake. I won't buy that brand again.
     
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I'll second that.

    My wife still has her 2017 Prius Prime and I sold my 2017 to my niece. Both are still doing fine, not a single concern after nearly 7 years.

    My 2012 Prius PHV is still going strong too. I sold it to a good friend prior to getting my Prime. All these years later, it's still doing fine too.
     
  8. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Thank you and yes this is not an extended warranty. I said so because that's how most people think/know it is. It is a service contract. I didn't read the contract fully yet. I will dig into it before the 60-day term. BTW, the contract says it is cancelable within 60-days not 90 as I was told. 90-day could be for some other states, not for Florida.
    I took the delivery of the vehicle. The service plan is in the final bill of sale. I will drive the car for a few weeks and then will most likely cancel it.

    I just wanted to hear if there was any major complaint about 2017 Pirus Prime. I am glad I didn't hear much. The car drives beautifully. Light year ahead of my 2010 Prius III. Lithium cells vs Nikel Metal Hydride makes a huge difference.
     
  9. sylvaing

    sylvaing Senior Member

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    The biggest complaints I hear about (and mine hasn't experienced it, yet, and hopefully never) is the exhaust heat exchanger that may let coolant flow through the exhaust, which can end with a damaged engine if left unnoticed. The repair itself is about $1200-1500 USD if not covered by the emission warranty. You can have a bypass installed for way cheaper but it will affect the emission control of the vehicle since the engine will take longer to warm up.
     
  10. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Thank you. I read about this once somewhere. I will look more into that.
     
    sylvaing likes this.