Extended Warranty (TEC Platinum)

I read the thread. It goes down the same path is this thread with the radio.

Most people never have issues with struts. The few that do can save $1,100 by buying them for $58 each and paying $200 to have them put on or do it yourself.

If you’re smart about money you can save a lot. Buying an extended warranty on a Toyota is not smart.

 

Unless you get a questionably shady dealer who attaches the warranty to a low APR (and you are without the cash to pay upfront, possibly the first error only compounded by the above).

 

I agree.

FYI alll dealers are shady.

 

I did the same, and I never buy ext warranties on anything, but.....the complexity of the car, especially the electronics usggests to me that it does make sense. I would hate to pay hourly rates after the factory warranty expires for some extended or repetitive trouble shooting. And frankly, there are enough gremlins, it seems built into the car, which is another reason. That said, I really like the car and drive it confidently. I don't believe the UA incidents, and the brake issues seem overdone, but I don't doubt that some tiny number of unlucky owners experience them.

 

Why do people think that the proven Gen I and II are low tech compared to the Gen III? Not that much has changed. More horse power is not revolutionary.

Toyota has been shipping different generations for the Prius for years. I have never read about any of the cars having issues. . The reports show all the generations are extremely reliable compared to other cars.

 

I bought my warranty and the 4 year maintenance from our friend in Greenfield via Welcome! | WarrantyShack

Thus, no financing. Money well spent, and piece of mind on one more future expense I don't' have to worry about. And what, are you going to give me crap because I also have Earthquake insurance as I live on the Hayward fault? Yes, the chance are slim I'll have to ever collect on that, but even with my foundation bolted, water heater strapped, and emergency supplies in place, I prefer to be safe than sorry.

Regardless on what you say about the quality of Toyota Vehicles historically, I know what some of these computers, parts, electric pumps, etc cost to replace, and I can't afford to take that chance.

I don't have a spare car to drive if my Prius burns out.

 

It's only money it's NOT your Life, you better do your homework.
A radio is not big money, a lot of parts are big bucks.

 

Also remember that the Platinum extended warranty includes roadside assistance for the full duration of the coverage period.

AAA plus costs $89/year now, so you must also take into account how much you would otherwise be spending for AAA on an annual basis.

If you look at the cost this way:

7/100k policy, platinum is $1199. AAA membership would otherwise cost you $89*7 which is $623. So the warranty is only costing you $576, which isn't too bad at all.

 

It is only big bucks if they need replaced. Gen I and II owners post over and over how relaible their Prius has been.

I am at 34,000 miles on my Gen III, in 18 months I will be at 100,000 mile mark. I would be alot of money I will have zero repairs. That is the true benchmark. I put over 200,000 miles on my Toyota 4 Runner with zero repairs that would be coverd my any warrenty. I sold it with 305,000 miles for $4,500.

 

Everyone offers free roadside assistance. Most credit cards include it for free. My insurance company offers it for free. At work one of our benfits if free road side service.

I had my Toyota 4Runner for 10 years and 305,000 miles. It never broke and never needed road side assistance. My Gen III Prius has 34,000 miles and has never been back to the dealer. In 18 months I will be at 100,000 miles and I am sure it will not have any issues.

 

I can't believe this thread is still alive but in reading through the newest posts I finally figured something out. Despite what your location is shown as here you actually live in Lake Wobegone, where all vehicles are above average.

 

I'll also remind you Judgeless that in a lot of ways driving 100,000 miles over 28 months is easier on the car than driving it over 7 years. Age plays a part in the degredation of a vehicle too. Just because you may hit 100,000 miles in 28 months and have no issues doesn't mean that someone else may hit 100,000 miles in 7 years and have no issues.

My Prius has 62,000 miles on it and I have had issues...its probably had $3,000 worth of repairs done, most of which under warranty...but its 6 years old. You say "Everyone in the Gen II forum says their Prius is extremely reliable" extremely reliable yes, but not perfect. I suggest you read some threads in there that don't only back up your viewpoint.

This is just page 1 of the Gen II Main forum:

Rumbling driveline noise:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ise-front-left-car-over-bumps-sound-clip.html

A/C Freon leak:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/83111-c-slow-leak-2004-prius.html

A/C Compressor failure:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/83182-air-conditioner-compressor-fair-price.html

And in the 2010 forum:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-troubleshooting/82917-dead-pixel-in-mfd.html

If that happened at 75,000 miles...replacing that display would probably pay for the warranty.

Its certainly a reliable car...but not perfect.

 

Not sure who your credit card or insurance company is? Neither my credit card or my insurance company offer free roadside assistance.

My parents on average, use roadside assistance once a year. Either a dead battery or a flat tire. One service call to a tow truck company is going to cost you $65 or more, for a flat tire or dead battery.

 

My insurance company offers it but its not free. It is free with my American Express card. But...its an expensive card...

AAA's the way to go IMHO.

 

Most Electrical Engineers have bad grammar and cannot spell. I still have a BSEE

I have over 33,000 miles now. I will be over 100,000 in 18 months. I predict zero repairs based on passed experience with Toyota vehicles.

Do you really relate playing the powerball with stats from JD Powers and Consumer Reports of car reliability? Toyota is rated the highest.

You quoted the repairs on my runner then commented on be doing my own work. What does that have to do with me driving 190,000 miles before I had a repair that would be covered by your extended warranty? I almost put double the miles of your coverage before something broke. That is even more reason not to purchase an extended warranty.

By the way putting a starter or a muffler on a car does not require any manuals. A few bolts and 1 hour of your day for each.

 

I disagree. Wear and tear of using a vehicle is the true benchmark of reliability. With time the only thing you will find is corrosion and rust.

What part do you think would show more wear. A sealed bearing that is 10 years old with 50,000 miles or one that is 1 year old with 100,000 miles. The bearing is sealed so it will not corroded or rust over time.

 

It is free with State Farm, my Citi bank Master Card includeds it and so does my corprate American Express.

 

Extended warranties are like insurance, you don't always use the policy. For some, the extended warranty gives them piece of mind. To those arguing that it's a waste of money, get-over-it!