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Prepaid Maintenance w/2010: Good Idea or Rip Off?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Willem, Jun 21, 2009.

  1. Willem

    Willem Junior Member

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    I purchased a 2010 V a couple of days ago. The process was simple until I got to the "closer" who presented me with a dizzying array of add on extended warranties, paint protection plans, etc.

    After "doing the math" I paid $300 for a "Preferred Customer Pre-Paid Scheduled Maintenance Plan" that includes oil/filter change and tire rotation every 5,000 mi for 35,000 miles (or 36 months whichever comes first.)

    Despite a bunch of gobbledygook about extra worth they perform during these "services," from what I thought all I was doing was prepaying $42 each for 7 oil/filter/tire rotations.

    Oh, yeah: and I get "free" windshield wipers at 30K mi.

    After reading on PriusChat.com about the hassle of DIY oil changes and the expense of having the dealer or other shop perform the work, I am now thinking I made a good decision.

    Am I right -- or am I missing something?
     
  2. msirach

    msirach Member

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    The prepays are always a good deal----------FOR THE DEALER!

    Be prepared for upsells each time you walk in the door. The service manager will walk out with a list that makes you think your car is going to fall apart. Make sure they know that you are NOT paying for anything when you take your car in. It's $26 at the Speedy Lube here, but I do all of my own service.
     
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Tell the dealer you want your money back for pre-paid maintenance. It's a big rip off for the customer.
     
  4. web1b

    web1b Active Member

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    It doesn't sound like it's a bad deal to pay $42 instead of $70 per oil change.
    Because of the special oil, filter etc, you can't just go somewhere like "Speedy Lube" and get a $26 oil and filter change.
    The only issue I see is that you probably lose the money and remaining prepaid services if you don't get a chance to take advantage of all the services for any reason (due to moving too far away from the dealer or selling the car or the car getting wrecked or stolen).
    You also have to make sure it really covers 100% of all the required services and there are no surcharges or fees for the expensive 0W-20 synthetic oil or anything else.
     
  5. Willem

    Willem Junior Member

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    Thanks; that's the answer I was looking for.
     
  6. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

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    I agree. If there's every reasonable chance you can use all 7 oil changes, and there are no surcharges for 0W20, I'd do it.
     
  7. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    $300 is not a bad deal at all for 7 synthetic oil & filter changes and 7 tire rotations.

    But that's the first I ever heard of it.

    So I'm guessing that it's your individual dealer's special deal?

    Because the Toyota deal I had heard and read about for the Gen II Prius was $1355 MSRP ($875 PriusChat Discount Price) for the 4 year/ 55,000 mile Premium Plan. Whether at the $1355 MSRP or the $875 PC Discount Price, that was way too much money for regular oil & filter changes, tire rotations (which are of debateable use anyway), topping fluids, and visual inspections for 4 years.

    Here's a link to a chart for the different Toyota prepaid maintenance plans (you can see from the MSRPs for these plans, why they don't seem worth it to me): Toyota Financial Services
     
  8. Willem

    Willem Junior Member

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    Yes, this was a "one size fits all" package offered by the dealer. My guess is that this dealer hasn't yet had a 2010 Prius in for maintenance and the service dept and sales mgt aren't aware of the possible increase.

    I'll report back at 4999 miles...