extended warranty for 2010? PC discount?

Here's the main thread about the Toyota extended warranty and prepaid maintenance:

http://priuschat.com/forums/sponsor...rius-extended-warranty-service-contracts.html

If you want other info, use the advanced search function and search "extended warranty" and/or "prepaid maintenance" in titles only.

IMO:

(1) the Toyota prepaid maintenance plan is not worth it, and

(2) one should wait until 35 months or 35,000 miles (whichever comes first) before deciding whether to purchase the Toyota extended warranty and which one to get in terms of maximum years and miles.

 

Danny, the PC Admin/Founder, has posted threads concerning the warranty and maintenance plans that you can purchase at www.warrantyshack.com.

Here's a little summary of http://priuschat.com/forums/sponsor...rius-extended-warranty-service-contracts.html:

$1,055 Extended Warranty (aka Extended Service Contract)
for 7 years/100,00 miles

$875 Pre-paid Maintenance (aka Premium Plan)
for 4 years/55,000 miles

Other threads recommended waiting until the 35 months/35,000 miles to purchase the warranty.

I'm picking up my Prius pkg 3 this weekend and will decline the warranties from the dealer.

-PLCEHOB

 

I also declined the dealers warranty. They didn't do a hard sell, a simple, "No thank you" was enough. He did make me sign a statement that I declined the offer.

My only concern with not buying the warranty now is that the price might go up in the next 35 months. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to buying it now?

 

Does this service agreement include roadside assistance as well?

 

In the last 4 or 5 years or so, there's only been one price increase in the discounted price offered here by PriusChat through Troy/WarrantyShack.com/Toyota of Greenfield, MA: I think in October 2008 the price increased 6.5% from $990 to $1055 for Toyota's longest and most comprehensive extended warranty -- Toyota Extra Care Platinum Plan 7 years/100,000 miles/$0 deductible.

The only advantage I know of for getting the extended warranty now before 36 months/36,000 miles, is that the Platinum Plan includes (I think) roadside assistance and limited reimbursement for hotel/rental car.

But to me that's not worth it, as the chance of the Prius breaking down so early in its life is remote, and I also have roadside assistance through one or two of my credit cards.

I'd rather wait until 35 months/35,000 miles before deciding whether to get the extended warranty. That way I'll have all that experience and history with the car and be better informed as to (1) whether I need to get the extended warranty, and (2) which one to get in terms of maximum years/miles to fit my past and anticipated use of the car -- I can pay hundreds less than that $1055 price if I choose Platinum Plan with fewer maximum years or miles.

 

I know this post is primarily for the extended warranty, but since someone mentioned the pre-paid maintenance plan, I want to throw my two cents in. I got a great deal on the premium 55,000 mile pre-paid maintenance plan for my 2006 Prius. I paid $475...and it was the biggest mistake I've ever made.

I've moved twice since 2006 and I've had nothing but trouble trying to get various Toyota dealerships to honor the pre-paid maintenance plan. It may be a "Toyota" plan, but it's like pulling teeth to get other dealerships to honor it. First dealership tried to tell me that the pre-paid maintenance only covered $35 of the $120 they wanted to charge me for a oil change and tire rotation. I scoffed and went to another dealership. They said they couldn't accept it and that's when I called Toyota's consumer affairs department to file a complaint and request my money back. Consumer Affairs assured me that Toyota dealerships would accept the pre-paid mx coupons, but I assured them that at least two of their dealerships wouldn't. The next week, Dealership #2 called me back and said they would accept it. I took it in and they overfilled the oil and did not rotate two of the tires, but I digress, that is a separate issue.

Fast-forward 2 years and in another city. I give the coupon to the dealership when I show up and they say no problem. After the oil change and tire rotation, I go to pick up my fob at the cashier's counter and she says "That will be $85 please." I tell her there that I have the pre-paid maintenance plan and that my coupon is attached to the ticket. She looks at it and calls someone over. A minute later I'm told "I'm sorry sir, but you have to pay us and then file a claim through Toyota to get reimbursed. 45 minutes of discussion later, they finally let me drive away without giving them any money.

And now, just a few months ago, I'm in another city. Similar situation, same problem.This time I had to talk my way up to the general manager just to have the 45,000 mile service performed on my vehicle.

I don't care if someone offers me a "pre-paid maintenance plan" for $5. I will never buy one again.

Bryan

 

Good point Bryan.

Yes, all Toyota dealers* must honor the Toyota warranty and extended warranties (no matter where you bought the car or the extended warranty).

But not all Toyota dealers are required to honor the Toyota prepaid maintenance plans. It's a dealer by dealer thing. You have to check with your target dealer(s) first to see if it will honor the prepaid maintenance plan, especially if you're buying the plan from someone else.

* EDIT: Caveat - except for dealers in Hawaii. Wonder if Alaska is an exception too.

 

I apologize if this has been mentioned before, but can I purchase the PC extended warranty and use it in Hawaii? It's a better deal than my employee price... I would wait until the 3 years is almost up, but just wondering.

 

Wave,

I'd contact Troy/WarrantyShack.com/Toyota of Greenfield, MA with any questions you may have. All of his contact info is in that main extended warranty thread (look at the last few pages of the thread).

EDIT: Here's all of his contact info:

Troy Dietrich
Toyota of Greenfield / WarrantyShack.com

Phone: (413) 772-0231 (Dealer Switchboard; can ask to page Troy)

Phone: (413) 772-0989 (Direct Line)

EMail: [email protected]

EMail: [email protected]

MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER FOR REPLIES FROM TROY.

PriusChat Screen/User/Member Name: TOG

 

Thank you Tom.

 

Boo you are right, (and thanks for your input in all the threads as this was my first toyota purchase and I have been reading PC religiously for the past 8 months even before I logged in.) from what i read when I purchased my extended warranty from the dealer it includes road side assistance and also hotel lodging. I got the extended warranty from the dealer for $1,000 and never mentioned the PC purchase program. I did know the sales managers father by coincidence.

 

Boo The input from you and others, like HTML, has just been great. There are too many of you to thank.

 

At the Northern VA dealer, I was offered the extended warranty for $1,650 (don't remember the details) and the service contract for $1,400 (every 5,000 miles until 55,000 miles).
I declined. Good thing I did.

December 2007 I got the 2008 Honda Accord and was offered $1,000 for the service contract and took it. I like it because it forces me to get in for maintenance without paying a bill that day...makes it easy and routine for me.

 

I have been told that Hawaii dealers won't honor a "mainland bought" warranty... they are not only thought of as a different region, but are actually considered another country to Toyota. I can't sell a car to Hawaii clients anymore - it's considered exporting!!! Toyota won't issue a MSO to me for a car sold to Hawaii.

 

Living in Paradise is expensive.

 

Sure is, but it's worth it.

Dianne, thank you for the information and answer to my question. You have given a wealth of knowledge and have earned your nickname the "High-Priustess" in my opinion. :thumb: