environmental protection package?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 06:02 PM) [snapback]469678[/snapback]</div>

Hi brtn422, & welcome to PC!

Actually I've never heard of that package, here, in socal, or anywhere else. My initial reaction would be don't get it, its a rip off. They will repaint your car if you get a scratch? doubt it... as for the seats, they're pretty much fool proof anyway, as they clean very easily.

My suggestion is save your money. Get some mud flaps, all weather mats, a rear bumper guard, PC front windshield heatshield, and even a rear cargo mat and these items will do almost all the protecting your car will need. I think your insurance will take care of the rest..

Enjoy!!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 03:02 PM) [snapback]469678[/snapback]</div>

Save yourself $795.

The seats come clean with just a damp cloth. My seats (had car since October 2004) still look new . . . except for very slight scuffing from getting in and out of the driver seat.

Dirt lifts off, ink lifts off, iced mocha lifts off . . . they are basically bullet proof . . . except I don't want a trial by fire.
The front of the car will chip with rocks . . . but that is what a couple-of-buck bottle of touch-up paint is for.

Now, if that $795 includes a 7 year TOYOTA extended warranty, then I might say go for it . . . but you can get the extended warranty anytime before the 3 year - 36,000 warranty expires.

 

"Dealer Packages" are an age old technique to get many hundreds more bucks out of the buyer. Here are some examples:
1) Additional undercoating or sealants-Local dealers spray something on the bottom of the car and claim that the additional protection is worth it. Yet any problems are covered at Toyota's expense and you will get a lot of stonewalling from the dealer if it is outside of the 5 year warranty. When it comes out of their pocket, they have a lot to gain by being difficult.
2) Taking a lot of the logos off, putting them in a plating bath that puts a layer of gold a couple of molecules thick and then selling a "premium gold package" for $400, yet only putting on $10 dollars of gold plating.
3) The latest one I encountered was "extra soundproofing" on the underside of a Prius. Think about this one and you will be laughing.
4) Keep reading the chats here and see how many owners are complaining about corrosion, insufficient under coating, dashboard cracking, etc. (Does not seem to be much of a concern.)

Now look at it from the dealers perspective. How many buyers can be convinced that they are getting ~$700 worth of improvement with good salesmanship vs. how many realize that for under $100 they can do all of this themselves? Enough to justify having some cars with these dealer packages. For $700, you can do a lot more (seat covers, extra floor mats, etc.) to keep your car in great shape than what the dealer has spent (under $150). Let's hope that the supply and demand of Prius's (Prii?) does not force you down this path.

 

Most of the time they won't replace the seats or repaint the car either. I both cases, it is a spot repair.

Tell them no thanks and let them know that you only give away your money to charities.

 

Check out the extended warranty available through the PC site...

$795 is alot that you could spend on really important stuff, like the side window deflectors, the Prius decals, Weathertech floor mats, Starbucks for a few weeks...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 06:02 PM) [snapback]469678[/snapback]</div>

A .5 ounce bottle of touch up paint is $16. Get the rear bumper applique. Consider 3M or VentureShield film to protect against chips and scratches.

 

And where can I get the rear bumper thingy? Does it cover the top of the bumper, where I just gouged it with my mountain bike?

 

i scotchguard my own carpets (and seats when they aren't leather).... i put my own wax/polish/zaino on my car... those packages are a big rip off! please don't waste your money! (if you feel the need to blow $800 bucks... you can always send it my way towad my "i want an iPhone" fund!)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Jun 29 2007, 12:46 PM) [snapback]470219[/snapback]</div>

You can get the rear bumper guard through the PriusChat Accessories store. Up at the top of the page, there is a link that says Prius Accessories. Go there.

 

Down here in Florida, it is next to impossible to find a Prius without the "Toyoguard Plus Protection Package".... It is $699 and includes

-Roadside Assistance Program
-No Charge for First Oil and Filter Change at any Southeast Toyota Dealership
-Vehicle VIN Etch Glass Product Protection Program
-Exterior Paint Sealant, Undercoating and Interior Protection Application
-Rental Car Assistance for Warranty Repairs

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bigscrb15 @ Jun 29 2007, 10:25 PM) [snapback]470474[/snapback]</div>

so your paying 699 for $100 of stuff?

i refused all that stuff in a heated arguement and got the extended warranty from troi from here.

u can do your own vin etching for $15.. for $650 you can get lojack

and the extended warranty also comes with rental car assistance for warranty repairs and roadside im sure.
and my local toyota dealer will give you a free rental car if you need $300 or more in repairs without
having to sign up for anything beforehand

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy @ Jun 28 2007, 04:46 PM) [snapback]469695[/snapback]</div>

I have to agree...I've had my car for a year and a half and several weeks ago I found out how the seats pill liquids and they are easy to clean up. I was bringing my little dog back from the vets...she hopped into the back seat...next thing I'm pulling over and cleaning up dog pee with napkins! Pretty darn easy 'cause it all pilled up and didn't sink into the seat. Whew!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 03:02 PM) [snapback]469678[/snapback]</div>

Wow, replace the paint if there is a scratch! That would be cool if only it were true. They don't tell you about the fine print that exludes any scratches that in their estimation, may have been caused by contact with a hard solid and posibly sharp object.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 09:26 PM) [snapback]469768[/snapback]</div>

This site was recommended: http://www.brandsport.com/totouppa.html
but they didn't list my color. I bought Toyota's bottle at a dealer for just about the same price. The top has a brush and ball point pen. I used the brush on one of the large scratches and the pen on the other.

If you and four friends at the car club pool your orders then the website is cheaper.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brtn422 @ Jun 28 2007, 09:26 PM) [snapback]469768[/snapback]</div>

Toyota like the other manufacturers doesn't make its own paint. The problem is figuring out who makes "good" paint and who makes "less than good" paint (Duplicolor was NOT recommended). I listen to the people with body shop experience since I don't know what I'm doing.

 

www.paintworldinc.com has fantastic touch up paint, easy ordering.