Warranties

Re warranties, there's an excellent summary at:

http://www.vfaq.com/Prius/docs/ExtendedWarranty.html


The lowest price reported (there) for the 7/100/0 is $980. According to Toyota, coverage begins on the date the vehicle was first delivered into service as a new vehicle and expires upon reaching the time or mileage of the coverage period, whichever occurs first.

 

My Prius is on order, but quite frankly, it would be the last car I would consider purchasing an extended warranty for. These "deals" are problematic at best, and usually end up not a bargain.

The Prius has a reportedly grand build quality since Toyota is seeking not to end up with negative PR (too much Hybrid future at stake).

Why would you want to pay about a $1K extra when you already have: 1.) a 5 year/60K mile powertrain warranty; 2.) an 8 year/100K mile Hybrid System warranty; and, 3.) a Fed/State emissions warranty that runs 7+ years. Not to mention, the 3 year Roadside Assistance. Extended warranties only come into play after other applicable warranties have been exhausted.

Also, not sure who you'll end up with, but independent extended warranty companies have recently developed a habit of growing stingy and/or bankrupt.

 

And, I see your perspective as well. If I was buying a mid level sports car (whether a Toyota, or not) with 40K on the clock, I would also strongly consider extended coverage. You can never be confident in your understanding of just how a car was treated.

My point about the Prius's build quality reaches beyond the fact it is a Toyota product (which do have problems from time to time...). Toyota is heavily geared to be a leader in this hybrid technology. They have staked a fortune in research into this car and its predecessor. They have also developed grand marketing plans for Hybrid systems throughout their lineup. And, most of all, they want to stay ahead of Honda (did you catch today's 2005 V6 Accord Hybrid announcement?).

IMHO, Toyota is not making much on this model. Rather, they are staking a large part of their corporate future on it (not the car, the lead in product). If there is something chronically wrong with the design or execution, they are apt to come clean resolving it. Both the public and the MEDIA will jump on any reason to discredit hybrid technology. Heck, we've got a "Freedom Car" in the works!

That pretty much sums up why I wouldn't purchase an extended warranty on it. Besides, I left out all the "tenuous payoffs at best" discussions that you'll find at consumer groups. Sure, some cars ARE worthy of it. BTA, why would you want to be buying poorly built cars in the first place? As for used cars, as I stated above, it's a whole nuther ball game.

Good luck with your choice and let us know how you make out. If you do it, reconsider the Toyota plan since they should be considerably more accomodating to a Toyota Dealer's service request. From what I've heard, independent warranty companies can leave dealership service managers hanging days (or weeks) regarding straight forward repairs that will get you back on the road.

 

I agree with your three year strategy, and will keep it in mind. I hope the initial warranty expense works out for you. Or, is that only wishing you reliabilty nightmares?

8)

 

I didn't go for the extended warranty yet, but I asked for the actual contract so I could take my time, read the fine print and decide later.
I went for the prepaid maintenance, though.
I figured that I don't want to trust "jiffy lube" with my advanced hybrid synergy drive, I plan on doing maintenance at the dealer for the forseeable future.
It cost $1095 for up to 55,000 miles at 5000mile intervals. The way they added up their normal charges for maintenance, it was more than that.
Or have I been had?

 

Does it include a loaner car for those larger service intervals where they have to keep it for a day or two?

If so, then I'd probably call it worth it.

My problem at the moment is finding a dealer nearby. There are plenty to chose from, but none that I've heard raves about. For my first service I'm heading down to Carson where I bought it (but that's 25 miles away, and in LA that's a long time in the car).

 

Here's a link that might help:

http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/prepaid...ic_premium.html


In particular, the Premium 4 yr/55,000 mi plan, with 5,000 mi service intervals, has a suggested retail price of $995 and includes "3 major maintenances".

 

Having just looked at the Prius Maintenance Schedule (available in the Library here), I'm now fairly confused. It seems as if, other than routine inspections, "scheduled maintenance" consists primarily of changing the oil and oil filter and rotating the tires every 5k miles. The only thing that I can see even the most remote bit "major" is replacing the cabin and and engine air filters at 30k miles.

 

HA!! :lol: :lol:

Of course, Jack doesn't worry about extended warranties. He figures between nuclear and biological disasters, any car he has will outlive him.

 

I looked at the same document, too; basically, just a lot of inspections at 15K, 30K and 45K. In fact, until you get up to 120K, there isn't anything much beyond that (and at 120K, they change the spark plugs.)

The way to judge this, though, is:

• If Yes to question 1, how much would it cost for 8 5K checkups and 3 15K checkups if you paid for them "at retail" at your Toyota dealer?
  • 
    If it's a significant savings (and there are no hidden costs), I'm interested in purchasing it.
    
    Anyone got average figures for how much these maintenance trips run?

 

Software.

Firmware.

LCD screen.

3 CPU's.

Bunch of other high tech innovations.

These were the primary reasons I boght the Platinum Package.

Sort of like, "...in the unlikely event of a water landing...".

I had a friend with a Nissan Z-car. digital dashboard went south. $ 3,600 dollars to R&R.

Nissan paid, because he had The Plan.

Bob

 

I would greatly appreciate it if you would post more warranty info. There seems to be a lack of clarity as to which plans cover what types pf repairs and hence which is the best value.

Thank You

 

i did get the extra warranty from toyota since i put my payments out to 5 years (i know, iknow) . the extra warranty was sold to me for about 350 dollars. which according to the dealer was wholesale. good enough for me. i no longer drive vehicles that are not under warranty. all the good folks who like working on cars can do so and im sure save money. but i am not a "wrench" and have no abilities in that area.
fred from nashville. still enjoying the heck out of smiley