pwanghk

Greetings:

I am wondering if it is worth to buy a Toyota extended warranty for 7 years (i.e 4 years extra after the manufacture warranty ends) 75000 miles for 2004 4Runner Sport ed. It will cost approximately $1000.

Beside regular major maintenance at 15, 30, 60, 90K ect My average mileage is 15000mile a year max. and I do not tow or go off-road.

Any insight thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

If you are going to keep it until it is paid for - YES

if not - NO

Consider it insurance and/or peace of mind. If $1000 seems like a fair price, do it.

More of my 0.02 so now it is up to 0.04 I believe...

BT17R

I've said the same thing since the inception of the Toyota Extra Care Extended Warranty program. It's a ripoff. Hey, it's a Toyota! Meaning, put the same money into a sinking fund, invest it and at the end of the same seven year period take the money, doubled by then, and take a nice vacation. Note that dealers typically make more profit on extended warranties than on a new vehicle. Don't be fooled by the "good guy" role of the F&I manager.

If you still go for it, know that prices are negotiable and an Extra Care policy can be bought from any dealer in the US, except Hawaii.

Never buy a policy from anyone other than Toyota. The history of aftermarket warranty companies makes Enron look good.

As always, my 2¢.

pwanghk

Thank you both for the advice.

Yes this SUV will be kept until it dies. That's my wife thing, she likes to change jewelery and keep the money.

50/50 so I am going to wait a bit and will decide based on majority.

Sac State

You can always buy it later at a prorated amount. Also, whatever you do, don't pay list, that warranty is extremely negotiable. I was told the extended warranty premium is fully refunded if you do not make a claim against it during the time period. Same with the gap insurance crapolla. Don't fall for the twist from the finance person.

Bob_98SR5

From my experience having worked in a certain dept that deals with these sorts of issues, no. Maybe for a Ford, but not a Toyota.

You are paying 2 to 3 times the cost of the insurance that the dealer pays. Moreover, most if not all of the major, unforseen, catastrophic problems will occur within the first 2-3 years of ownership for which you will be covered anyways.

Bob

EDGE

I got it for 5years 60k, did not really effect my payments just a few bucks more, they gave it to me for 800, maybe I over paid but at least I have bumper to bumper coverage till 60k when I'll get rid of it

Sac
what time period cause I'd like the money back if I can

uberdog

I bought the Platinum extended warranty with my '03 Limited and then backed out a month later with a full refund.

At first it seemed like a good idea since I keep cars for 8 to 10 years. Yet after thinking it over and doing the numbers I bagged it based on these facts:

- It's a Toyota
- 3 years is plenty of time for a defective part to show itself
- Recalls and TSB's are covered even if you are out of warranty
- $1000 goes a long way to fix anything that may go wrong

The other bit to consider is that you can still buy the extended warranty ANY TIME right up the end of the factory warranty.

So hold off for now, think it over for 2 years and 11 months.

UD

uwf

Thats why the dealer got the name of "STEALER!!!!"



Joseph

pwanghk

Thank you all for your insight thoughts. I will hold off for now until 2year11month

uberdog:

Please forgive my ignorance, what is TSB stands for?

jgs9455

Isn't Toyota's warranty longer than 3 years?

uberdog

TSB = Technical Service Bulletin (aka: recall lite). This is where Toyota will notify service departments of known issues such as rattles or throttle body issues.

There are a bunch of web sites that report on TSB's. Edmunds has one:

2003 4Runner TSB

Darx

I purchased the Extra Care on my 01 Tacoma and just had to get some work done that would have cost me out of pocket otherwise. It covered about half what I paid for the Extra Care Warranty.

It was for fuel system parts and cleaning btw.

Good Times

you're better off saving the $$..

But if you really need that peace of mind, then just send that $$ to this board and we'll be happy to help you out if and when you have problems!!!

I know this board can use some extra $$ as I've learned ALOT (definitely worth more than what I have right now).

Sac State

Edge: I ended up with the 5yr, 75,000 warranty from Toyota. I paid something like $699 for it. At year 5, one month or 75,001 miles, if I have not filed a claim under this warranty the full $699, less $25 administration fee, is returned to me.

When I sold my '02 Runner with the same warranty, I sent the warranty company my 'release of liability' notice and they promptly refunded my money, less $25.

I also can cancel in writing at any time, less the $25 fee. Stick with an official Toyota aftermarket warranty firm, there are many fly-by-night aftermarket warranty companies that don't have the accountability of Toyota backing it.

bobzemuda

So let me get this straight....

my scenario...

Just bought a 2000 SR5. The wife wouldn't let me buy it without some kind of warranty as she really wanted me to buy a new CAR.

A, I'm not driving a car
B, I can't afford a new 4Runner (nor would I want to)
C, this one was a manual, and the last year for a manual.

So, for like $9 more per month I have the full Toy warranty through 100K instead of just the certified warranty.

Now, if I understand correctly, if I never make a claim against that warranty, I'm entitled to a refund?

Bill

Hannerhan

I talked them into a 7 year/100,000 mile warranty for $900. Just basically for the peace of mind - 100,000 is a lot of miles...

Sac State

Like the rest of the contract, whip out your magnifying glass and verify, each dealer I am sure peddles this warranty or another. I have the Toyota Platinum +, administered by Toyota in Iowa.

paraphrased...'if after the life of the contract is expired and no claim has been made against this policy, all monies, less a $25 handling/administrative fee will be refunded to the customer.'

I would have been wary and skittish the second go around (2 Runners, 2 Extended warranties) if I did not receive the refund from the previous Runner warranty.

Chalk one up for the mega behemoth that is Toyota Corporate...they came through as advertised.

tom4416

7/75 for what - bumper to bumper or powertrain. Toyota sells a lot of different warranties, and if this is only powertrain, you're only getting 15K past the factory 5/60. If it's for bumper to bumper, than that adds some value. FYI, before we were done negotiating, the stealer was "giving away" the 7/75 bumper to bumper for $820 (psst, don't tell anyone else this price because we could never do this again) or the 100K powertrain for $780 (again, mums the word, special deal just for you because we bent you over so bad on the purchase price). I passed on both and then got the 100K powertrain for free from the dealer because of the valve noise that can't be fixed. Then I took it to a local shop and they ordered the shim from Toyota and now no more ticky ticky so for the $92.31 they charged me I got a 100K mile warranty and a quiet truck!!!