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Get warranty?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Thankfulgirl, Mar 24, 2021.

  1. Thankfulgirl

    Thankfulgirl New Member

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    Four Touring
    I just bought a 2016 Prius 4 Touring with 78K miles on it. I can purchase an extensive warranty for this car for 4yr/48K mi, adding $60/mo to my cost. Is this a good idea? When I consider the current mileage and potential cost of parts, esp with the abundance of tech and electronics, I say yes, it will pay for itself; when I consider the reliability of prius, I say perhaps no.
     
  2. priusman09

    priusman09 I used to be a TDI

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    I’ve never had an extended warranty on my Toyota’s. A couple questions are:
    1) who is the warranty company?
    2) what is the total warranty cost? $60 x 48 months = $2880?
    3) what does the warranty cover?
    4) who are you buying from. Have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic especially if not a Toyota dealer before the sale

    So that sounds like a lot of money if the cost is $2880 for the 4 years. I don’t have much faith in warranties by companies other than an actual Toyota backed warranty. Also warranties are highly negotiable and can often be bargained down substantially. That being said - many warranties won’t cover the electronics and hybrid battery and special stuff specific to the hybrid. The Prius hybrid traction battery is warranted for 10 years and 150,000 miles in states with California emissions and 8 years 100,000 miles in the other states. My past 09 Prius is still plugging along at 250,000 miles with the original battery and everything else. Only had to do 2 wheel bearings and the rest was general maintenance. I’d pass on the warranty. Sounds like they are bending you over on the amount they are trying to charge you.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Don’t lose sight too: Toyota provides a pretty good warranty, for no extra charge, and they (hopefully...) stand behind it. These “extra” warranties are somewhat akin to to iffy accessories, like illuminated door sills for example.
     
  4. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Extended warranties usually don't pay for themselves. I doubt you will have $2880 worth of covered repairs over the next four years. It's the repairs that are NOT covered that will bite you in the butt. Read the warranty carefully - Don't let the salesperson tell you that a particular item is "covered" if it's not in the contract.
     
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  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    these are crazy-reliable cars. If you are ever going to play the odds and skip the warranty, this is it.

    If your paranoia gets the better of you, make certain that it is a quality warranty. No deductible, and valid at more than one location in case you or they relocate.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no
     
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  7. sclevine

    sclevine Active Member

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    Are the maintenance items covered? In my 2017 Four, I've spent about $1200 between 80,000 and 130,000 miles, but it was all regular recommended maintenance like oil changes, fluid exchanges, filter changes. There was also spark plug replacement, which I think was also recommended maintenance. I did have to change the 12v battery at 140,000 miles - is that covered?

    If these kinds of things are not covered, I'd skip the warranty.
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Put the $60 per month in a savings account. Then use it toward the next car you purchase when a texter rear-ends you or you wear out this car in about another 200,000 miles or so.

    These warranties are carefully priced and worded so that the customer loses most of the time. They are not a charity.
     
    #8 jerrymildred, Mar 25, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2021
  9. NJ2018PRIUSC

    NJ2018PRIUSC Junior Member

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    The one and only time I purchased an extended car warranty, the warranty company went out of business. I only learned this while attempting to make a claim through the dealer. Fortunately, the dealer made good on the extra warranty claims without making a fuss, which was lucky because the car (a VW) ended up needing quite a bit of work.

    When I bought the Prius C, the finance person made a big deal about needing the extended warranty because it was a hybrid, which was 'complicated' and could definitely need a lot of work after the factory warranty expired, having a traction battery etc. I told him this wasn't a good way to sell a car and offered to take back my check.
     
    #9 NJ2018PRIUSC, Mar 30, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2021
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  10. MPGboss

    MPGboss Member

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    I vote no, I'd suggest putting that money aside to fix something if needed. Imo, a big reason of getting a Toyota/Prius is to drive something trouble-free until around 150k miles or so.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Or see what newer cars that extra $60 a month would get for you.
     
  12. priusmatty

    priusmatty Active Member

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    I just bought the Toyota Platinum 8yr/125,000 no deductible extended warranty, even thought I bought my 2020 new. I do not know, I think it might be a good idea, but remember, you can shop around different dealers all over, and ask for discounts, then take the cheapest one. That's what I did, and I got the warranty for $1,900, and they often charge $3,000 for it.
     
  13. Ozark Man

    Ozark Man Member

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    I just traded for a 2017 four touring with 22,500 miles and the Toyota dealer offered me a 7 year comprehensive warranty for $1900. Don't know if millage had anything to do with it. I turned it down.
     
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