i'm new here and did a search on extended warranties, and posts from 2004-2010 came up, and the 2010 post won't open for me (don't know why, but the search function here doesn't always work for me, maybe because i have a lot of security on my work computer). can someone direct me to 2012 Extended Warranties info? thanks, laura
i want to buy to be covered for the really expensive things like the hybrid battery, air conditioning, electrical, etc. i had one from when i bought the car in 2009, but it just ended, and i'm feeling vulnerable. the dealer's rep told me i was covered for 7 years or 100,000 miles. No, I was NOT. the truth is i was only covered until the car reached 7 years old, 2004-2012. So i only got 3 years, 75,000 miles out of it. And i asked him 3 times if i was covered to 100,000 miles, and he told me yes 3 times. THAT is what i thought i was buying. Mechanic shops in FL routinely lie to single woman about what repairs are needed, and the only way to keep them honest is with a warranty. With my other cars, EVERY time i brought a car into a shop, it was ALWAYS a $1000+ repair....until i got an extended warranty. then, lo and behold, now all of a sudden the repairs are always minor so, yes, it is cheaper for me to buy another extended warranty than to go back to getting ripped off for repairs at a $1000 a pop. thanks, laura
Laura, my view is that 'extended warranty' is a scam, and never a good idea, so I am ignoring that part of your post and instead offering opinion of how to best avoid major repairs. (Even if you do get the extended ripoff, you still would prefer to know how to have no troubles) High Voltage Battery - Drive your Prius. The cars you hear with excellent battery life tend to be driven every single day, often all day. Many cars with HV battery issues spent weeks not being driven. When the car is READY, the computers are pampering the HV battery, when it isn't, they aren't. Inverter - try to never jump start your car with simple jumper cables. Jump starting incorrectly may be the single most expensive repair on a Prius. Small jump packs do not have the power to do damage easily, smart jumper cable do not HAVE an incorrect way to hook them up. (NEVER jump start another car with your Prius, it lacks reserve to do it safely) http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B004EIDD2Q?tag=priuschatcom-20http://www.autobarn.net/smart-jumper-cables.html Anytime you need a jump start twice, it is time for a new battery. The Optima Yellowtop has a great reputation here. http://www.elearnaid.com/opdsopbadifi.html Transaxle - Toyota does not list a recommended interval to change the WS Automatic Transmission Fluid in the transaxle, but every 60,000 miles is a good choice. The ATF cools while electrically insulating the motor/generators, but builds up metal particles over time which reduces the insulation. Only use the Toyota WS ATF as no other vendor tests insulating properties of their ATF. This is an easy DIY project for two people or the dealer should do this for about $100 USD, some start at 30,000 miles THEN every 60,000 after that. Air conditioning - Do not drive off road. Most damage I hear of is physically hitting debris, not mechanical failure.
hi Jim, thanks for your message. i know the extended warranties are not necessary for you guys, but for women in FL it is Guaranteed that a woman who does not know a mechanic personally WILL be lied to and ripped off. i know what i'm talking about - for the 26 years that i've lived here, i took my previous 3 cars to at least 12 different shops (some dealer, some not) and every time it was always some kind of MAJOR repair. Now, we all know that is not even statistically possible, but women who do not know about cars cannot say to them, "no, you're wrong". so, we are stuck. There was never a minor AC problem, it was ALWAYS the compressor - ie, $1200-$1500. It was never a minor tranny problem, it was always "a blown tranny" - ie, $1500-$2000. It was never a minor "electrical" problem, it was ALWAYS a "blah-blah-blah-whatever" - $1200. Even the brakes - never just pads, always the whole brake system - ie, $1000.... The thievery and lying only ended when i got a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty.....$1000 warranty vs $10,000 of phoney repairs - which would you say is a better deal? laura
Well, I hate to say this, but you really need to make some friends who like tinkering with cars. That way you can get a more honest second opinion.
I'm a new Prius owner that will be buying a extended warranty in the future.After doing some research I will be buying it from my car insurance company Geico.Its called mechanical breakdown insurance.Check to see what your ins.company has to offer.
Paying them $1000 so that they won't take advantage of you? Huh. Be sure to read all of the fine print about exclusions and conditions before buying.
the warranty i had saved me money - there were 3 repairs done (can't remember the first 2 as they were in 2009 & 2010, i'll have to look up the paperwork), but the last one was the AC evaporator in 2011...which would have cost me at least $1500 by itself here in FL. there were no exclusions on all 3. they paid in full, plus paid for my rental and towing. laura
Well, I think he means the warranty you will be getting... Make sure it covers what you consider to be important and know what it doesn't cover in your case.
