I'm thinking about buying a prius and was just wondering if this ToyoGuard really make that noticeable of a difference in the so called * Glass Etch Theft Deterrent * Interior Fabric Protector * Toyo Guard Sealant Cleaner * Undercoating/Sound Shield or is it just another way for the dealer to tack on extra charges? Thanks. Mike
all those services can be done at any dealership or detail shop. if you really want the stuff (it does provide "some" benefit) then shop around for a better price.
meh, skip it. my insurance didn't give a discount for the glass etching, the paint sealant ended up getting replaced by Zaino, we put on seat covers so the fabric coating was nulled (hubby's a mechanic and gets things dirty) and i don't think the undercoating did a damn thing either. save your 600 bucks.
FWI, that Toyoguard for $650 only cost the dealership $200. I know this for a fact. When I got my 06 Sienna, my price was based on invoice, which they showed me. They gave me the wrong invoice at first (I didn't want Toyoguard) and I saw the invoice price. Don't waste your money. Treat your interior with 303 Fabric Protector (32 oz for $20 retail). Teat your leather and vinyl with 303 Aerospace Protectant ($14 for 32 oz). If you really want glass etching, you can get the same kit they use for $20, but as above, likely doesn't make any insurance difference. The sound shield is bogus, the thin, light weight oil undercoating is unnecessary in modern automotive manufacturing, and the day you get your car, love it by putting your own sealant on it. It will just take a couple hours to do a really good job and will be just as effective, probably more since you did it yourself, did it right, and didn't rely on someone working minimum wage maybe doing a sloppy and incomplete job.
It's an expensive addon that isn't worth it and carries a huge profit for the dealer as stated above. You didn't say where you are but here, in the southeast, it's tacked on to many cars at the port and you are forced to take it. The dealer might knock off a few bucks to make you feel good. Bottom line the dealer will still be making $300 or so and you will feel good about saving a few bucks. Extended warranties from a dealer are similar. A dealer will charge you $1500 - $2500 while you can get the exact same thing here at PC for under $1,000 Gook luck! I wish you all the best.
Popoff is quite correct. I'm in Florida and Southeast Toyota adds the Toyoguard at the port. It's on my Tacoma, and mom's Corolla. It seems like ALL the cars and trucks have it here. Off topic, I'm interested in a prepaid maintenance program through the dealer. I'm pretty new on PC (still awaiting the car-- due this month), and understand that maintenance programs are available from PC. Is this correct? If so, will they be good at any dealership?
Call Troy Dietrich Toyota of Greenfield (413) 772-0231 [email protected] This the genuine Toyota deal and is accepted at all dealers. Please do not use Troy's deal as a bargaining tool with any other dealer.
The maintenance plan I bought from the dealer when I got my car is good at any Toyota dealer in the US, except perhaps Hawaii. I wish I hadn't bought it and generally think it's a rip-off. The only maintenance your Prius will need are oil changes. I had a good mechanic who worked on my Camry, now I can't get my oil changed there. You can view the Prius Maintenance booklet online, it's just oil changes and inspections and a couple of filter changes, which are easy.
thanks guys, I'm in south carolina and will probably order my prius in the next several weeks (i'm holding out for the magnetic grey color) but still would like to go test drive a hch before buying. With all the talk about dealers trying to scam people I want to be sure I have something to bargain with because I know dealers here don't sell prii like in other places. Mike
I'd suggest you consider buying it in Virginia. The money and hassle you would save could very well justify the cost of the trip.
How would buying in virginia save me money and hassle? I'm just curious because I have already considered buying somewhere else because dealers here don't have a large supply and aren't getting the higher end packages which is what I would like. Thanks. Mike
much larger supply of Priuses in VA means more choices, faster delivery AND dealing with a sales staff that is much more familiar with a Prius. i would hesistate to buy from a dealer that sells only a handful a month. obviously not their bread and butter and that is where you are most vunerable
As you probably know, Toyota has a distributor for the southeastern states, including SC, NC, FL, and GA. This distributor is known for "packing" vehicles that come into their sales area. Packs include Toyoguard, high dealer prep fees, accessories you do not want,etc. but are forced to buy if you want the car. Virginia is controlled by another distributor, perhaps even Toyota itself (I'm not sure.) Last March, while the supply was so short, I bought my pkg 6, off the lot, at a nice discount. My brother wanted a different color and they had it for him 7-10 days later. There was no extra stuff that we didn't want and the "dealer prep fee" was significantly lower. I bpught mine from Lewis Pierce at Haley in Toyota in Roanoke. Other PC members have reported similar results from a dealer in Manassas. I know other PC users could add additional names to the list of dealers I gave you. I'd suggest you give it a shot. If you don't have a salesman's name, ask for the internet sales person. Good luck.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xbdude @ Jan 2 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]183146[/snapback]</div> After many years of buying new vehicles (mainly Honda / Acura products) we bought (actually ORDERED)our first TOYOTA ('07 Prius Touring, Pkg. 5). When I saw most of the "window stickers" on vehicles on the Dealer's lot that "TOYOGUARD $699" was an installed option I assumed it was a "rip-off". Come on.... "paint sealant".......... I use Klasse polish and sealant.......lasts for months even in this brutal Florida sun. Don't need no "stinkin' paint sealant" I muttered to myself !! When we actually (after test drive) went inside and started "negotiations" I strictly said NO TOYOGUARD, NONE AT ALL !! The Dealer said NO problem, as our vehicle has NOT HIT PORT (Jacksonville, FL) yet !! He said they apply the sealants (inside, outside and under the vehicle) and glass etch at the PORT !! As long as you "catch" an incoming Toyota vehicle BEFORE it hits the port you can delete the ToyoGuard Package with no problem !! At the time of our "negotiations" and placing the actual order, our Prius was somewhere on the "high seas" being shipped over !!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xbdude @ Jan 2 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]183146[/snapback]</div> That's what many people think with SE Toyota. But there are SE dealers who can get their automobiles without Toyoguard (I did) if you request it. Rick #4 2006
