Toyota Extra Care Platinum or Gold

How far apart between the two failures? If the first replacement was simply defective resulting in premature failure and it was less than 1 year, you would have been covered even without the extended warranty as Toyota parts carry a 12 month Toyota warranty.

 

I read your posts. Your first problem happen 14 months after you received the car. It sounds like the first repair was done wrong from all the people that responded to you in the treads. Toyota would have covered the second repair without the extended warranty.

You wasted $2,000.

 

I think Alphawolf said the first problem happened 14 months before the date of the thread, which would've put it within the 3 years original warranty but given that Alphawolf drives 20K miles a year he was SOL anyway. Also SOL for the 2nd failure as he was 2 months past the first replacement part's 12 month warranty, so unless the dealer admitted it was a botched job and was nice enough to replace it anyway so I think we've found the first person who actually got their money's worth on an extended warranty.

However, someone who've saved their $2,000 every 7 years instead of purchasing an extended warranty for a cash cushion of a few thousands dollars in the bank would have come out ahead.

 

A little off topic, but close:

This article looks at the difference between dealer and independent mechanics:

Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit

Nothing too deep, but a moderately interesting look at the two.

One point they made is that you can negotiate with the dealer's shop. I recently got my Ford dealer to come down on a set of tires. I had gotten a bid from an independent tire shop and gave the quote to the dealer. I actually got a better deal from the dealer, since 1. I told them tax was included in the tire shop's bid, which I don't think was accurate, and 2. They have some type of rewards program where I get credit (5 or 10%, I think) towards future service.

Since the car has computerized sensors for tire pressure, I feel more comfortable going to the dealer, all else being equal. The tire shop probably would have gotten it right, but ...

 

Here's another article, this one extolling the reliability of the Prius, focusing specifically on the battery:

Toyota Prius hits 200,000 miles keeps on going - Mar. 4, 2011

 

I have purchased extended warranties on maybe 10 previous cars I've owned. AND, I've USED the extended warranties enough times on ALL of them to well justify extended warranties. Extended warranties are my middle name now. I have them on everything I own practically. If something can break, it'll break for me! lol

 

Wow, you make me feel lucky. I purchased 5+ new cars in the past 15 years (Japanese and German) and never purchased any type of extended warranty. Never had a problem outside the factory warranty. Not sure if it had anything to do with me always insisting on the ones with a "J" starting Vin instead a number. The German car I owned has been pretty reliable too, a bit on the expensive size to maintain but nothing out of the ordinary in terms of repair.

 

Hmm. I self-insure everything but my health and home, and I don't think I have paid for anything yet that would have been covered by an extended warranty.

I fully expect to pay for some things down the road, but cannot really imagine a scenario where extended warranties would have been cheaper over time. In the meantime I pay a couple pennies on the premium dollar for maintenance to tip the odds in my favor.

Health is a good example. I can pay about $600/month for typical insurance, or the $300/month I pay now along with a $10k deductible. I choose the latter because I exercise, stay thin, avoid drugs of abuse, drive attentively (no phones or alcohol), invest in a healthy diet, and treat my high blood pressure. Good maintenance

 

Bumping this thread up.

Getting quotes for $0 deductible Extra Care Platinum Policies.

7/100k is $999.
7/125k is $1269.
8/125k is $1564.


It is interesting that the eighth year adds a significant amount of cost to the policy. I am guessing that the loss exposure increases substantially during the eighth year.

After seeing that my friend's 2006 Prius went through an engine water pump ($550), axle seal ($400) and the navigation MFD ($450 from junkyard) between the 80 and 90k period, the extended warranty is definitely worth looking into. It's just that it is too soon to tell what fails on a Gen III, and when, so it is impossible to say which coverage option will allow you to get the most bang for your buck.

 

Total waste of money!!!

Buy an IRA with your money, you will get your money back plus a little interest.

 

Oh come on now, please post helpful info that is relevant to the vehicle as oppose to blanket statements.

 

OK

I had a 2000 4Runner that I put 305,000 miles on and had less than $1,000 in repairs over the life of the car. Nothing until 190,000 miles needed fixed.



My 2010 Prius has 61,000 miles with zero repairs. I predict it will go over 200,000 miles before I have to spend a cent.



Toyota, Lexus, and Scion make the 3 most reliable cars in the world. All three are made by Toyota. Why would anyone waste money on an extended warranty. Buy an IRA

 

Few problems with your post.

1) A 4Runner is not a Prius. Plus the 4Runner you keep referring to was built during Toyota's better days.

2) Your Prius obviously does not see the typical usage pattern of most consumers. A driver like yourself who accumulates a lot of miles in a short period of time generally does not see many issues. So unfortunately, your car is probably not the best indicator of overall Prius reliability.

 

Toyota vehicles are still the most reliable cars in the world. This has never changed.

My Prius is a perfect example of what is to come with a Prius that is not driven as much. I am still hitting pot holes, using my brakes, running the A/C and the many other things. Putting this many miles on my car is an accelerated version of what is to come for others. My car is the best indicator of Prius reliability.

You and others will never get that an extended warranty is a profit center for the dealer and the manufacture that is sold to people using FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt). They sucker people in telling them it is a hi-tech car that is unproven. They lie about the life of the battery. Do not be embarrassed, people fall for it all the time.

 

I do wonder how this summer heatwave is affecting the battery, though (i.e. how many years it's shaving off the usable life of the battery ).

 

The funniest thing about an extended warranty on is Prius is that it does not cover the battery. Here is a list of things not covered.

List of Excluded Components

• Accessory Drive Belts
• Batteries
• Body Panels
• Brake Linings, Pads and Shoes
• Bumpers
• Carpet
• Chrome
• Clutch Friction Disk and Pressure Plate
• Dash Cover and Pad
• Door Trim, Handles and Fabric
• Filters
• Fluids
• Glass (including Windshield)
• Headliner
• Heating Hoses, Lines and Tubes
• Hinges
• Hybrid System Main Relays
• Hybrid Vehicle Battery
• Hybrid Vehicle Battery Module/Pack
• Hoses
• Interior and Exterior Trim Moldings, including but not limited to, Cup Holders, Ashtrays, Covers, and Vents
• Lamps
• Light Bulbs
• Nuts, Bolts, Clips, Retainers and Fasteners
• Paint
• Rotors and Drums
• Rust and Corrosion Damage
• Seat Covers
• Service Plug
• Shiny Metals
• Spark Plugs
• Structural Framework and Wells
• Tires
• Vacuum Hoses, Lines and Tubes
• Weather Stripping
• Wheels and Rims
• Windshield Wiper Blades (Rubber Component)"

 

I keep forgetting....what a drag, lol

 

Go for the platinum warranty......I just purchased for my 2011 Prius II.....since I drive alot of miles annually, I opted for the 125K miles coverage. I paid $874 for 5yr 125K zero deductible Platinum warranty. I also priced the 6yr 125K for $1129 and 7yr 125K for $1269.

If interested call:

Jerry Johnson
Warranty Manager
Midwest Toyota
Midwest Superstore
1100 east 30th
Hutchinson, Ks 67502
Phone 800-530-5789
Cell 620-664-8844
Email [email protected]

I have purchased my last three extended warranties from Jerry, he is great to work with and would highly recommend him......I shopped around each time and he always had the best price.