I've been researching hybrids for a couple of years now, realizing that fuel prices are going to continue to climb. I finally pulled the trigger on Monday and bought a 2012 Prius Four through USAA's buying service. Because of the holiday I won't be picking it up until this afternoon. I finally had to part with my 1995 BMW convertible, and that was hard to do, but the incessant electrical problems and insane maintenance costs finally outweighed the coolness factor. I'm certain the dealer will put the full-court press on me today to buy the extended manufacturer's warranty. Anyone had any experience with this? He said he would sell it to me at his cost and not to let his boss know. Right. Like I've never heard that one before. Anyway, I'm looking forward to gleaning lots of great info on the best operation of the vehicle from this site. I've already been through every video I can find on Toyota's website and I've watched all the ITunes podcasts. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Carnac, congrats! Re: extended warranty - my 1st Prius, the 2003 model, fried its ECU (critical computer) in normal driving use about 26 miles before the standard car warranty expired - the standard warranty saved me almost one thousand USD in replacement part cost. Because of that experience and the then-still-new hybrid technology, when I traded up to the 2007 Gen II Prius I did buy an extended warranty. That purchase had zero ROI for me. Now with the 2012 PiP I judged the technology to be mature enough to forgo the extended warranty altogether. So, BLUF: I don't recommend one today. Enjoy the car!
Just up in DC and was struck by how many Prius Vs were being used as cabs. An extended warranty can never be statistically good for the car owner because it's cost has to pay for admin costs at the dealer, admin costs at the company that provides the warranty, the commission to the sales guy, the commission to the sales manager, the commission to the dealership owner, profit to the warranty company, profit sharing to the executives of the warranty company, etc. Most independent studies say the good warranty companies pay out 30% or so of what they take in. If you like those odds or if you need the peace of mind, then buy but investigate the contract (not the sales literature) and the company that stands behind the warranty as many are amazingly complex scams with shell company after shell company declaring bankruptcy only to reform with a new name and the same executives. You'd do better playing almost any game of chance in a casino.
Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride! I would just forgo the extra warranty and sock a few dollars away a month just in something might happen.
Thanks for the input. Just picked up the car and it's gorgeous--Nautical blue metallic with dark gray interior and the sunroof option. I think I'll get over the Beemer quickly. My sister-in-law's uncle is a Toyota dealer in California, and he told me to skip the extended warranty, too, so I did.
...hmm Fredericksburg is Northern Virginia? Where's the line between north and south VA? OK we'll let you in if you drive a Prius...welcome
Congrats! I just got mine a few months ago and and now realize I have yet to remember USAA's buyer assistance! Hope they got you a good deal. Enjoy the gas savings! I still can't get over it and at one time I thought 35mpg in a Corolla was great. Now I get mad if I'm under 52! You may quickly find yourself playing the game with the consumption meter too. Do you ride up 95?
I try to avoid I-95 like the plague but since I fly out of Dulles, I'm forced to venture out on it. I do know every possible route there is between F'Burg and Dulles, though.
If you have seen the traffic between DC and F'burg recently, you just know F'burg is in the Metro area. My last trip it took me 2 hours to go 12 miles and that was using an escape route off 95 to 1. The Navi with traffic density shown came in handy. Ever consider train to DC and then Metro from Union station to Nat'l or are your hours so irregular their after hours shutdown would kill you.
If you are thinking VRE, at least on my side Manassass line, the schedule is very limited to 5-6 trains in AM, and limited return schedule in afternoon. No weekend/holiday service.
Sometimes I can use VRE but usually my return flights into DCA get into too late to use it to get home. Most of my trips are out of Dulles, in any case.
