Extended warranty - good idea or not?

[McShemp]

I'm on a waiting list in Texas ... it'll be at least four months ... to get my Prius, and I'm not sure about purchasing the extended warranty. The dealer says the Prius requires the Primium Toyota warranty costing about $1300 US. This would cover the car, bumper-to-bumper, for 6 yrs. or 100,000 total miles. I believe the Synergy drive and batteries carry this coverage stock, but I'm not 100% sure. My concern is more with the LCD touchscreen and sensors on the car.


Is the extended warranty worth it considering only a dealer can do most repairs?

[Tideland Prius]

the hybrid components are warranted for 8yrs/100,000 miles.

The screen and such should be okay. the 3yr/36,000 mile should be okay unless you drive a lot.

[McShemp]

Thanks Tideland. I was hoping you'd respond.

I'll be probably putting 20K miles per year on the car with 90% of that commuting to work. I just fear that there will be some hugely expensive repair needed immediately after I exceed the factory warranty period. I realize I have up until then to buy the extended warranty anyway.

Any idea why the price on extended warranties varies so much (besides dealer greed)? My sales guy just told me today the price for the extended warranty is now $1510.

FWIW - I'm buying the car through a fleet sales program at MSRP, and I was told it will be at least six months. There are over 100 people ahead of me on the wait list, and they get 15-20 cars delivered a month. Maybe I should get on another list - with another dealer - if the price is still at MSRP. I hope I'm not so far down that the 2006 tax credits are used up before I get my car.

Lastly, the sales rep said that with the NA orders coming at the present rate, he expects the supply of 2006 Prius' to be accounted for in the next few months.

[Tideland Prius]

Well, place your order on various lists. This gives you the best chance and at the same time, makes the dealer work harder to get your business so either way, you win.

As for extended warranties, I don't know. My dad has never bought ext. warranties for any of our vehicles. I remember a certain salesperson at a certain dealer was giving PriusChat members a low fixed price on the ext. warranty. I don't know if he's still around cause I haven't heard anyone buy the warranty from him recently. The best thing I'll suggest (and I know it sounds cliché) is to shop around and find a dealer that would give you the lowest price. Most of these are just dealer markup and instant profit.

[McShemp]

Well, I checked the toyota financing web site, and the price for the zero deductible, 7 year, 100,000 mile platinum extended warranty was over $1600.

I checked with three other local dealers and all had wait times of at least six months. I wanted to wait until 2006 anyway.

[BullMarket]

Originally Posted by McShemp

I'll be probably putting 20K miles per year on the car with 90% of that commuting to work. I just fear that there will be some hugely expensive repair needed immediately after I exceed the factory warranty period.

Wisely invest that $1600 for 7 years and you will have enough to cover anything that may go wrong. If nothing goes wrong, you'll be richer. If something goes wrong, it probably won't exceed $1600.<---In 7 years there will be good, established, hybrid mechanics outside of the "stealership".

That's what I'd do.

BULLMKT

[Cyorke]

I have to put my two cents in on this one also. IF you do decide to get hte extended warranty make sure you read the exclusions. The ones we well do not cover the driver information center in the car. SO if you are worried about the LCD screen going out and it does the warranty may not even cover it. Like BullMarket said if you put the money in the bank you will be better off in the long run anyway. SO jsut make sure that what youare worried about breaking is actually covered.

[McShemp]

List of Excluded Components
Accessory Drive Belts
Batteries
Brake Linings, Pads and Shoes
Bumpers
Carpet
Chrome
Clutch Friction Disk and Pressure Plate
Dash Cover and Pad
Door Trim, Handles and Fabric
Filters
Fluids
Glass (including Windshield)
Headliner
Heating Hoses, Lines and Tubes
Hinges
Interior and Exterior Trim Moldings, including but not limited to, Cup Holders, Ashtrays, Covers, and Vents
Hoses
Light Bulbs
Nuts, Bolts, Clips, Retainers and Fasteners
Paint
Rust and Corrosion Damage
Seat Covers
Shiny Metals
Spark Plugs
Tires
Vacuum Hoses, Lines and Tubes
Weather Stripping
Windshield Wiper Blades (Rubber Component)

According to the Toyota Financial Servicxes web site, everything NOT on that list is covered by the platinum warranty. However, I'll specifically ask about the touch screen (when the time comes).

[Emilyjohn]

McSchemp, you might try buying an extended warranty thru Priuschat.com. 7 years/100,000 miles for under $1,000 from a participating Toyota dealer. It's the Toyota warranty. I haven't bought this warranty; but everyone who has expressed complete satisfaction. Good luck!

[whorules]

does anyone know what the normal (not extended) warranty is for a 2002 prius?
also, i am the 2nd owner. does the warranty transfer to me now?

[ea8631]

Originally Posted by whorules

does anyone know what the normal (not extended) warranty is for a 2002 prius?
also, i am the 2nd owner. does the warranty transfer to me now?

please see the link:

http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/wa...dex.html#prius

and I think the warranty do follow the vehicle, not the owner.....so therefore the warranty do transfer to you now.

[arabianobsession]

Just remember the dealer ALWAYS has room to negotiate on warranties. I work for a Toyota dealer, and the difference between what you pay and the cost is huge. Trust me, it is doable to get the 6 yr./100,000 mile extended warranty for well under $1000.