Toyota Prepaid Maintenance

I'm with you Jim. I would like answers to the same questions.

 

I picked up the PPM package when I got my Prius last March from Putnam Toyota in Burlingame, CA. Paid about $1100 for it.

I finally hit 5K miles in Sept and used the coupons for the first sevice at a different dealership. The maintenance rep there didn't give me any hassles with the coupons from the other dealer.

My main issue with the PPM package is the cost. Given the number of miles I put on the car a year, I'm not going to need any substantial maintenance for about three years. With only two oil changes a year, it's going to take a while to make back the $1100.

In order for the PPM to be worthwhile, I would suggest you negotiate a better price than I did.

Dan

 

I believe that you can get the Toyota PPM thur this site for a good price
$670 for the 4 year/ 55,000 mile Premium Plan. MSRP $995.

Click on the Prius Chat Offer "Discounted Toyota Prius Extended Warranty Service Contracts"

 

I think you guys are talking about the <a href=\'http://priuschat.com/Discounted-Toyota-Prius-Extended-Warranty-Service-Contracts-t3130.html\' target=\'_blank\'>Extended Warranty</a>, aren't you? The pre-paid maintnance is a lot cheaper than these prices.

Your Prius needs almost zero maintenancy, just oil and filter changes. I think the pre-paid maintenance plan is a rip-off, particularly if you want to run synthetic oil.

The extended warranty, on the other hand, would be a godsend if your MFD craps out at 36,001 miles.

 

Bill, you may be right but here is what it says there

"I already bought my car, does that mean I can't get the Extended Service Contract?
*Nope, you can buy it as long as you are within the original warranty period - 3 years, 36k miles.

*Bought your car used? You are eligible for other service contracts

Interested in the Toyota Prepaid Maintenance Plans?

$670 for the 4 year/ 55,000 mile Premium Plan. MSRP $995."

"Toyota Prepaid Maintenance Plan" is hyperlinked to http://www.toyotafinancial.com/pyv/prepaid...ance/index.html

 

I got my pre-paid maintenance for less than half of the MSRP, as part of the negotiation on the car purchase. I used the coupon for the first oil change (at the dealership where I bought the car). My only complaint is that the coupon covers the cost of regular oil, not the synthetic. I was out of pocket a few bucks to make up the price difference.

 

Thus giving credence in the thought that prepaid maintenance agreements are not a good use of money, unless you don't want flexibility to use oil and filters of your choosing.

 

At the deal price, prepaid maintenance might just break you even, especially with the prices dealers are charging these days for a simple oil change and tire rotation. But beyond the deal price, forget about it. Besides oil and tire rotation, only thing left is air filters at 30K, and some additional inspections.

 

I bought the prepaid plan through Troy of Greenfield Toyota. Before I did I asked the service people if there would be any problems honoring the service coupons that had been purchased through another dealer. They said as long as they were from Toyota Finance they didn't care what dealer sold them. I was a little concerned when the packet arrived because the name of the selling dealer was on the paperwork/coupons and the instructions indicated that the selling dealership should be called to schedule maintenance. Fortunately I have had no problems at all using them at my local dealership.

 

DanMan says that the prepaid maint. is only a good deal when you get a good price. I got it for $590 from Crown Toyota and Ron Gannaway . Go to this website and scroll down until you come to Crown Toyota in Kansas. Good luck, Pagile http://www.vfaq.net/docs/ExtendedWarranty.html

 

Exactly. I shopped around for 5 and 15K maintenance plans at Toyoto service departments in different places. THe prices are all over the place.

They're relatively high in Seattle, so the PPMaintentenance plan (gotten through PriusChat) saved me some money. But your mileage will definitely vary in different parts of the country.

 

Just what do we really need the dealer to do? I we can change our own oil and air filters, the extended warranty would cover any malfunctions?

As far as simple maintainance... just what is so scary that we need the dealer for the first 55K anyway?

Not trying to be smart, I really want to know!... I've wondered if I need a "maintenance" plan too!.....

With a normal car I say bah!.. but I am so unfamiliar with the prius... I don't know if its needed or not?

 

I would like to know what everything thinks about this too as well. My dealership offered it and I thought why couldn't I change my own oil and rotate my own tires. At least I'll know if there are any issues and it's also good to know what is actually done, but since this is a hybrid, maybe the Pre-paid Maintenance plan isn't a bad idea.

 

the only thing you're missing out on, doing the work yourself, is the periodic inspections of the more important undercar things by people certified and familiar with the prius. i would guess you could take it in to be inspected for a minimal charge if you choose to do your own work. i have no idea what they'd charge, and my husband is actually on his way to work right now to reassemble his car so i won't be asking for a while.

 

hmnm, for 670 for 4 years of services or $167 per year seems to be a reasonable cost for maintenance on a car. Adding a 7 year warranty, I should stay in love with my car for a long time.

 

Just a comment: maintenance is more than you stated because prepaid maintenance does not pay for any problems found during inspection. The dealer charges you whatever he wants for the parts, plus hourly labor charge. If you dealer invents a problem, how will you know? If he takes twice as long to fix it as it should require, would you know that? I'm not suggesting most service depts are dishonest, but how will you know?

Prepaid maintenace locks in the basic service cost rates (much lower than what my dealer quoted me before I asked if they honored it -they do). It's still high if you are capable of doing it yourself. The problem is, do you have the expertise to recognize developing problems? I'm past wriggling under cars, so I'm probably going to have to go with the contract even though it goes against the grain to pay so much for so little.

By the way, there is another recent thread on this subjec:
http://priuschat.com/Pre-Paid-maintenance-...ics-t15441.html

C

 

dealers do flat rate. they bill a certain number of hours whether they get it fixed in time or not. based upon the "golden standard" labor rate book, think it's made by mitchell1. the good ones can usually pull it off with a few minutes to spare, but it saves you from someone inexperienced screwing around with it forever.