Is the prepaid maintenance with it if I have no auto skills..

What is "with it" and how is not being able to do anything yourself any different for normal scheduled maintenance?

 

Prepaid isn't going to save you time. It involves all the same services that normal maintenance requires, not counting any breakdowns your car may encounter.

 

That's the big question. I haven't heard from other Gen III Prius owners with prepaid about what they're doing about synthetic oil changes. Are they included without surcharges or would you have to pay extra on top of prepaid?

 

You should call more than just your dealer, you should call all dealers within your comfortable driving range. Their prices can differ in a wide range for the same synthetic oil change, my dealers range from $48 to $88. So I decided I wasn't saving any money for the prepaid maintenance if I go with the lowest price Toyota authorized dealer for my oil changes.

 

So do you know whether or not Toyota's prepaid carries no surcharge for synthetic oil, in which case it doesn't matter which dealer does it?

 

Somebody is making a profit on the prepaid service. I'd rather keep it myself.

 

That's like saying Apple is making money on every single Mac user who purchases Applecare. If your Mac breaks down 10 times, they're losing money to you, but they'll invariably make money off the rest whose Macs never break down.'

Perhaps synthetic oil being included changes the equation?

 

The big money is when people trade or simply don't follow through long term with maintenance that they have already paid for. Also, with the time value of money, if all things being equal you're better off paying as you go.

 

Of course these plans are based on actuarial science, and time value of money. Some people will be benefit from buying it--most, not.

You can look at it as an insurance policy, and I've always favored self-insuring.

I haven't seen anything that says whether synthetic oil is covered in these plans, but every coupon or web special I've seen for oil service say synthetic extra.

As I posted in another thread, I paid a $16 up-charge (vs. the coupon special price) for synthetic oil when I had the oil/filter service performed this week.

 

A question on the pre-paid service: If you buy a Toyoya service contract at one dealer, can you use the coupons at another Toyota dealer?

 

Yes, any dealer in US or Canada. At least that was what I was told.

 

Don't buy it from the dealer when you get your car though. I bought mine here on PC and saved a lot of money and added an extra year on my contract.

For me, its 2 things.

1) Peace of mind
2) Locked in rates on maintenance

I don't have a garage to do things myself and I plan on keeping the car for atleast 4 years, so for me it's worth it.

 

Bear in mind that having the dealer do scheduled maintenance or doing it yourself aren't the only two options. Find a good mechanic and have them do it and you'll save money over the dealer (prepaid or not) and time over doing it yourself.

 

So can you confirm there's no surcharge for synthetic oil?

 

You know, "groovy," or "boss" or "cool."