[franco1903]

Good evening,

I just purchased a new to me 2016 Highlander XLE. Did not buy it from a Toyota dealer but from another local dealer here in the Baltimore area. Had only 26500 miles on it and was in amazing shape minus a few scuffs. Dealer put a set of brand new tires on it as well as is going to fix the scuffs. Only on the lot for 2 days and as you can imagine there wasn't much wiggle room on the price only being listed for 2 days. I've had it a week and I've been very happy about it so far. Drive is much smoother than my old pilot notwithstanding the new tires. Everything just seems a bit more refined and I wanted a 2016 because it was the last model year, at least I believe it was, that didn't have stop/start and it had the 6 speed transmission. While the car is in amazing condition, I'm still considering an extended warranty for personal peace of mind.

At the time of sale, the dealer attempted to sell me an extended warranty (VSA) through Fidelity Warranty Services. Price was rather high IMO at 3000 for 6 yr 72k platinum plan which the coverage seemed similar to Toyota Platinum VSA. I did some research and found I could get that same warranty elsewhere for about 1k less. I did a hold agreement on the car as the check from my old bank in OH was on its way. In the meantime I called some local Toyota dealers and made some attempts to buy an extended warranty or at least see which 3rd party extended warranty they'd recommend for a Toyota. To my surprise, there were a couple of dealerships who said that someone in my situation could actually still purchase a Platinum VSA through Toyota. One dealer quoted 5 yr 60k at $2500 and another quoted the same terms for $1775.

My understanding of the VSA on a used Toyota was that it had to be purchased at a Toyota dealer at the time of used vehicle purchase. Are these dealers pulling my chain or is there a workaround for them that will allow me to buy the Toyota Platinum VSA? If I can't actually buy the Toyota Platinum VSA, is the Fidelity Warranty a good warranty or is there another 3rd party extended warranty that people have had success with?

Thank you. Sorry for being so long winded.

 

[MikeInNH]

Vehicles are least reliable during the first 20-30k miles due to manufacturing problems and when the vehicle is over 150k miles. The extended warranties cover when a vehicle is at it's MOST reliable. I've never owned an extended warranty and never will. I figured I've saved myself thousands and thousands of dollars over the past 40+ years of buying new cars.

 

[Enterthedeals]

The Toyota 3.5L V6 engine has a known issue with the timing chain cover seeping or leaking oil over time. That job is min 2k to around 3.5k depending on the shop (Engine out). Toyota water pumps can also be suspect and need replacement. Up to you, depends on how long you plan on keeping it.

 

[Eagleguy]

Shop around. I purchased a Platinum 10/100K Toyota transferable warranty for my Highlander and Tundra with NO limitations. Ran me about 3K for BOTH vehicles.

 

[Tarsun2]

my AC went out at 80k miles.
$1,200

head unit stopped working at 70k miles
~$700 iirc

Window fell off the track.
fixed myself. dont know how much dealer would have charged.

sunroof drain leaking into cabin
fixed myself. dont know how much dealer would have charged.

Needed new battery.
~$300 i think

the above is my 2nd gen with less than 100k miles.
there was another thing that needed to be replaced that im forgetting.


the 3rd gen 6spd seems to have some tranny issues, peeling paint issues (white only?), Weeping timing chain cover (engine out repair), and something else im forgetting.

the 3rd gen is not bad and every vehicle has issues. with toyotas, the bill seems to add up quickly.

 

[MikeInNH]

I've NEVER bought an extended warranty. And I've saved THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS over the years. In the past 30+ years when I first saw extended warranties, we've had ONE $300 repair on all the different vehicles we've owned. If it gives someone piece of mind in buying one...great. I sleep better knowing that I never wasted my money on one. For every person who actually got their money back on these warranties there are hundreds who never put in a claim. Extended warranties are nothing more than an insurance policy (very expensive insurance policy).

 

[golftango29]

I've NEVER bought an extended warranty. And I've saved THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS over the years. In the past 30+ years when I first saw extended warranties, we've had ONE $300 repair on all the different vehicles we've owned. If it gives someone piece of mind in buying one...great. I sleep better knowing that I never wasted my money on one. For every person who actually got their money back on these warranties there are hundreds who never put in a claim. Extended warranties are nothing more than an insurance policy (very expensive insurance policy).

I'm in this boat. Knock on wood, never had an expensive repair, although I only keep vehicles a few years, rarely going beyond 125K. I'm usually buying CPO anyways so the warranty is a bit heftier than non-CPO.

51K on my HL, nothing but scheduled maintenance and a set of tires and battery.

 

[Sparkland]

I would choose the Toyota Platinum extended service contract (warranty) over the Fidelity product. You can purchase the Toyota product anytime up until the original 3 yr/36K mile warranty expires.

 

[MikeInNH]

I'm in this boat. Knock on wood, never had an expensive repair, although I only keep vehicles a few years, rarely going beyond 125K.

In the past 40+ years we've never let go a vehicle less with less than 300k miles. A couple past 350k miles. One past 400k miles. Most extended warranties stop after 150k miles. Even if they covered up to 400k miles I would have lost money if I bought one.