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In Process: Buying a 2013 Prius THREE. Get an extended warranty?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by HondaTheNextOne, Feb 9, 2015.

  1. HondaTheNextOne

    HondaTheNextOne Junior Member

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    Hello all,

    I have been lurking here for a little while so this is my first post. Im in the process of buying my first Prius (have wanted one since 2004!) so I'm very excited.

    It is a great deal and since it's a 2013 with 26,000 miles, I dont feel really compelled to get an extended warranty but I know it would be smart.

    Problem is, GWC is the offered by the auto dealer and it has abysmal reviews.

    I'd love to get your feedback on what you think is needed and any other advice you might have. Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome and congrats! i don't think you need one, these cars are almost indestructible.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd give it a pass. We never get them, never miss it. It's really just a money maker, for someone.
     
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  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    The popular default for most people is don't pay for an extended warranty.

    I think it's up to the person. If having an extended warranty gives you ownership peace of mind? Then it can be worth it.

    But you are wise to know exactly what your warranty covers. If the warranty being offered by the dealer gets abysmal reviews? By all means pass on it. There is no value in a warranty that you don't feel good about BEFORE you even purchase it.

    So in general, I think The Prius a reliable vehicle, and you can probably get away with NOT having an extended warranty. BUT if having one makes you feel more secure? Well, there are stories and threads where people have benefitted from having an extended warranty. Just make sure the one you purchase covers what you want and get's good reviews.
     
  5. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    Nope. Don't get it.

    Or

    Lowball them and say you'll take a 100k mile warranty with zero deductible and full coverage for $200... :) Then that's a good deal, but in reality they will want $800-1800+, they make those numbers up as they go with nothing set in stone.
     
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  6. HondaTheNextOne

    HondaTheNextOne Junior Member

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    Solid advice, thank you.

    I think honestly my wife and father-in-law would be more at ease if I did purchase one. I have faith that all will be fine, besides, it still has some of the existing warranty on it.

    I am in contact with my credit union as well, and they are going to let me know of their warranty and how much it will cost too.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and you can shop around, no need to buy it right away.
     
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  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    You can purchase the extended warranty at any time before the OEM warranty will expire
     
  9. HondaTheNextOne

    HondaTheNextOne Junior Member

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    Ah, thank you bisco and mrbigh. Also very good points that I completely forgot.

    Anyone have a recommended warranty company to use?

    I guess most have gone with Toyota's, but again I'm not buying this from Toyota.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortunately, you can no longer by a toyota warranty over the phone. the cheapest guy used to be in western ma, but you have to go in person. i'm not aware of aftermarket.
     
  11. BrianPB

    BrianPB Member

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    I have over 120k trouble free miles on my Gen III. I would skip the warranty (y)
     
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  12. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    If you want one I highly doubt anybody but a Toyota one would really cover anything. Look and see if it covers the Prius transmission or the braking system that's on the Prius. I know my fiedelity one only lists parts in a normal transmission you can tell by the wording it will not cover most of the expensive parts on a Prius such as all hybrid parts most of the transmission most of the braking system ect ect.
     
  13. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    You can sometimes get lucky with an extended warranty, but the stats are strongly against it. It's almost always a money-grab, designed to harvest extra revenue off the customer.

    Sometimes it's an outright rip-off. When I lived in the US, there were car dealers in my town adding up to 25% to the sticker-price for "extended warranty" which amounted to little more than a free oil-change.
     
    #13 GregP507, Feb 9, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2015
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  14. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I believe you'll be better off saving the money you'd spend on an extended warranty. However, if you absolutely want one then read through what Toyota's offerings cover and don't cover. Any other third party insurance (that's what you are buying) policy probably isn't worth the paper it's printed on when it is time to collect.

    Toyota's policies are available up to 3 years, 36000 miles.
     
  15. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    Extended warranty from a dealer ,,,, what if the waranty company goes out of business ?
    If the dealer is going to be waranty it , what if they change ownership ?? ME if I would
    Feel better get a toyota warranty from toyota Corp ...
     
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  16. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    If it has some existing factory warranty on it, you should still be able to get a Toyota extended warranty, check it out, and shop dealers in your area, the warranties, all have very high markups, so there is PLENTY of room to bargain.
     
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  17. HondaTheNextOne

    HondaTheNextOne Junior Member

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    I truly appreciate this everyone.
    My credit union is financing the rest of this at an amazing rate of 2.5% , and they are also offering a fairly decent warranty package for the same as GWC. But I think I will pass on it and seek out the Toyota warranty if anything.