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Just bought my first Prius! Any advice?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by kanobe, Aug 18, 2017.

  1. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Similar boat, I came off from a 1998 Camry LE v6 but bought it beyond after graduating from college. This was my 3rd beater upper after college, and the car was hit by a USPS employee. I had to get a replacement vehicle and choose to go with a Prius.

    What color did you get? I have the same year and same option package w/blizzard pearl color. Some members here have 2010 solar sunroof with the rubbers peeling and/or deteriorating. I say this is from dryer blowers at car washs and combination of parking in sun. I recommend hand drying and apply some UV protectant on the rubber surrounding the deflectors and anything rubber on top of vehicle once a month after a wash.

    Also note that if you want to unlock ALL DOORs with smartkey, you can enable or disable the feature by holding down both unlock and lock button together, hold both buttons down til you hear a single or double beep.
     
  2. kanobe

    kanobe Junior Member

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    I got the Nautical Blue. Pretty much everyone in my family has a white vehicle...I'm now the blue sheep!
     
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  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Not worth the cost since there's nothing major needs to be done at 50k miles, save that money and check out all the DIY videos, they're all very easy to do.

    Recalls and TSB's are all free if your vehicle requires it. I have the 2012 and the only recall I have done was for the side airbag curtains.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's an OUTSIDE chance your extended warranty will be to your advantage but:

    Those guys are in business to make a profit.

    Just keep some money ready for repairs.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  5. kanobe

    kanobe Junior Member

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    What about between 45k and 95k? I don't think I'll hit 95k within 4 years, but If I do, is there anything major I can expect in that mileage range?
     
  6. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    My Prius has 140k miles, all of the YouTube videos I posted are all that I've ever done to the vehicle. Nothing major, its all DIYable.
     
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  7. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    How much did you pay for the warranty and what does it cover? That information will help tell you if it's worth it.

    The warranty on your traction battery should last another 3 years, but the extra year is probably not covered in your extended warranty. The IPM should have a 15 year/unlimited miles warranty already. AFAIK, there isn't any major repair that gen 3 owners anticipate within your time, outside of maintenance. However, the earliest model year is only around 8 years old now, so we don't have a ton of data.
     
  8. kanobe

    kanobe Junior Member

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    This might be a stupid question.... but what does IPM mean?

    The warranty is $3000, which is why I'm second-guessing. I attached a picture of the 'What's covered' part of the contract. I am not really comfortable doing repairs myself...I'd rather take it to a professional. I know that can get pricey.... but the DIY advice isn't really helpful for me :/
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That doesn't seem to be specific to a Prius, mentions alternator, no mention of hybrid battery.
     
  10. kanobe

    kanobe Junior Member

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    I don't think it is specific to the Prius....it's a dealer warranty, not one from Toyota. I think they offer the same one for all used cars.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    On average, an extended warranty is a loosing proposition for the customer and a winner for the insurer. Otherwise, they'd go out of business. But at least the odds are better than lottery tickets. If I had $3,000 for an extended warranty, I'd put it in the bank and use it for any major repairs that come up. Especially, since it seems to cover stuff your car doesn't have and doesn't cover stuff that it does have. But that's just my opinion. Once in a while, the warranty pays off.
     
  12. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    I just read that, basically it covers all of the vehicle parts in case it fails on you. The engine won't be covered if there is a failed piston rings (which can burn oil).

    3k covers up all of the maintenance up to 50k miles?

    15k and 30k are oil, both engine and cabin filter change
    Every 10k is oil change.
    Dealers won't cover trans fluid change and brake fluids. They don't cover brake replacement either.

    So if you calculate every 10k miles for oil change, which will cost you 35$ for most, 25$ for 5 quart oils and 10$ or so for oil filter. 35x5 = 175$ dollars

    Engine and cabin air filter for both maybe 30$? So change twice for 60$.

    What did they say 3k covers besides the normal vehicle warranty that comes with the car and regular maintenance?
     
    Grit likes this.
  13. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    That's really expensive for a warranty that ends at 94k miles, and roughly 9 years from date of sale. For comparison, the Toyota Platinum warranty is 8 years/125k miles and costs $2,000 (purchased new). And the expensive part that will most likely wear out is the traction battery, and that is not covered under reputable insurance policies that I'm aware of. Worst case, if your engine needs a rebuild at under 100k (which it probably won't), it probably will be at or less than the cost of the policy.

    To me, it's an easy decision. Take the $3k and put it aside for when the traction battery dies, which from what I've read here, might be around 2022. The dealership probably makes a lot of money off of Toyotas, especially the Prius, with their warranty.

    PS: IPM = Intelligent Power Module, which was was given an extended warranty to 15 years for Gen 3's.
    Inverter IPM - 15 year Warranty Enhancement ZE3 | PriusChat
     
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  14. jdonalds

    jdonalds Active Member

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    You can disable the ridiculous backup beep so it only beeps once. Look it up. Instructions can be found on this forum.
     
  15. Marine Ray

    Marine Ray Senior Member

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    What UV protectant on the rubber do you recommend?
     
  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    TriNova
    Marine Protectant & Aeronautical Restorer – UV Protection for Boat Interiors, Vinyl Seats, Upholstery, Fabric, Gelcoat, Plexiglass, Bimini, Carbon Fiber & More - Prevent Cracking & Fading

    I use this one because it's meant for outdoor therefore you know it's got major uv power. Since it's good for vinyl and plastic, I apply this on the prius' dash, seats and rubbers around the sunroof, deflector and the seals that the sunroof pressed down on so it's a jack of all trade uv protector. It's exactly like milk but a bit watery so it runs. You can sponge it on but I spray it on the finger tips of disposable vinyl gloves and slather it around w/a liberal amount. Beats the hell out of the amor all premoist tollette thingies, shines way better also.

    I also use their waterless car wash concentrate to avoid going to car washes, saves a ton of money and the product hype is real.
     
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  17. kanobe

    kanobe Junior Member

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    Update: I canceled the warranty, and started a savings account instead. Trusting in Toyota quality and Prius reliability that I won't have a major repair in the next 4 years, so I'll have much more than that $3k for when a repair is necessary. Hopefully the gamble doesn't come back to bite me!
     
  18. Snow

    Snow Member

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    Good call. I got my Prius almost 4 years ago now at around the same mileage that you're at (57k). It has a little over 100k now and all I've done with it is change rotors, pads, transmission fluid, and oil changes. I too do oil changes every 10k using Mobil1 extended performance for both the oil and the filter. Close to paying it off now and I'm hoping I can get to 200k, which from the looks of it, shouldn't be a problem.
     
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  19. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Just curious...at which mileage intervals did you change your brake pads, and how many times were you able to resurface the rotors before changing them?
     
  20. Snow

    Snow Member

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    I only did the rears because they were giving me problems at 90k. Car still has original fronts on at 100k (which I find odd that the rears needed replacing first). Didn't resurface the rotors either since they're so cheap anyways and I'd figure I'll get another 90k.