Toyota Prepaid Maintenance (TAC)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rob Hoch @ Dec 12 2006, 01:19 PM) [snapback]361127[/snapback]</div>

I'm als a new Prius owner and opted to by TAC from the dealer, doing a quick calculation of what it will cost to have the dealer do all the scheduled maintenance. The dealer quoted $1175 for the plan. Less worth it at the $1355 that Toyota's web site cites as suggested retail price. But from this web site it looks like this plan can be bought online for something like $875 which seems to me to be definitely a good deal if you want to have a Toyota dealer perform all of your services.

I'm now wondering if I cancel out on the plan I bought from the dealer (which I'm told I can do), and order the plan through the priuschat link, if things will get hopelessly confused (since the plan involves coupons from Toyota with the VIN included).

Ron

 

I purchased the Prepaid Maintenance when we bought the car way back in April 2005. I'm about to use up my last ticket, and honestly I'm looking forward to it. I didn't do the research on prices etc., so I ended up loosing money. Oh well. IMO, you'd be better off taking that $1000 (or whatever) and put it in a CD at the bank, or some other interest-earning account and take it out for the 30k mile service.

The dealer might give you the prices of their 15k and 30k services plus the standard oil change prices. Adding that up, you might save money. But the Prius doesn't need all that other crap done at 15k and 30k. Ask them to quote you the prices of what the maintenance guide for the Prius says to have done, and I bet it would be cheaper to go without the Prepaid Maintenance.

Now, if you can haggle down the price to $750, I say go for it. Just don't include it in the financing (if you buy your cars like that). Pay for it outright so you're not paying interest on the maintenance.

Hope this helps.

 

Mostly what needs to be done on the Prius for the first 95K miles is a tire rotation and oil change. Some might want to change the transaxle fluid at 60K, so if that's covered under the prepaid plan, then add that for your comparison. Also the air filters (ICE and cabin) are to be changed every 30K. Again, if covered under prepaid, add this for your comparison.
There are additional 'inspections', but most are covered during a standard oil change. Dealers should also cover a basic brake inspection during tire rotations (only additional work is to remove the drum), but I don't think they actually do.

 

I bought the Pre-paid maintenance plan from Troy last week. I figured, until 55k miles, I don't need to worry about a thing, with the dealer doing the oil changes and maintenance at 15k, 30k and 45k, especially since I think I'll get the extended warranty on it too. $875 seems like a good price for not having to worry about: "well, you didn't check the lubrication on this joint when you changed your own oil, so it's negligence and you have to pay for it now" line from the dealer. Most of the repairs I and some of my friends have had done under warranty always come with some weaseling on the dealer's part where they try to somehow make it the owner's fault. Maybe I've had rotten luck with dealers, but they were never too eager to do free work on my cars. This way, with any malfunction, I point to their stamp in my maintenance passport and make the "money shuffling" gesture in their direction.

 

I took my Prius in for the 15k service. I purchased the pre-paid maintenance plan. Surprise, but the air and cabin filters are NOT included. That racked up another $75. I wonder what other surprises are in store? A big disappointment. I thought Toyota thought better of their customers than that?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(catsbox @ Jan 27 2007, 05:44 PM) [snapback]381796[/snapback]</div>

The cabin air filter and engine air filter replacement are not supposed to be included in the the 15K service - The service specs don't call for replacement until 30K. If your dealer 'recommends' replacement above and beyond the service schedule, you can pay extra to have that done. Or, you can buy the parts yourself for about $27. Or, you may wait until the factory recommended interval.

Air filter and cabin filter will be covered under your pre-paid maintenance agreement at 30K.


Bruce