Quote:
Originally Posted by Dang
flopshot...
I think you mis-read the previous posts. It's not about going to Jiffy Lube.
It would appear on the surface that the pre-paid maintenance is more expensive then going to the exact same Toyota dealer and having the exact same service done as you would with the pre-pay, but just paying as each service comes up instead of paying for them in advance.
There is no warranty advantage to the pre-pay, assuming you go to a Toyota dealer just like you do with the pre-pay, and do the same exact service, just like you would with the pre-pay. You are simply paying more, and are paying up front. I'm still trying to understand the advantage?
Dang
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Dang, it is you that keeps missing the point. I've said it twice already, so this is going to be my last post on this subject.
YOU ARE SIMPLY LOCKING IN THE PRICE WITH THE DEALER AHEAD OF TIME! If you want to pay a la carte every time you go to the dealer, then that's your perogative. My dealer currently charges $69 for an oil change. I end up paying around $80 thru my pre-paid plan. So yes, I am paying ~$11 more. But if oil prices skyrocket and the price of oil changes at the dealer goes to $100, then you are paying $100 while I'm still paying $80. And in my comparison, I didn't even include the cost of the cabin filter, tire rotations, etc., that are not included in the standard "oil change service" at the dealer. You would have to pay for those parts/labor separately without the plan. Also you won't get the roadside service, etc, that you get with the prepaid plan. So in the end with all the services included, I'm probably paying the same amount pre-paid as I would have a la carte. (Note that all these calculations are based on my $875 purchase price. If you pay the MSRP $1300+ for the plan, your calculations will be different).
An analogy to buying the prepaid maintenance would be purchasing stock options. You spend money now to buy the option and guarantee your right to buy a product/service in the future at a set price. If you never use the option, then you've spent money and gotten nothing out of it in the end. But if you do use the option, then you've saved yourself money. It's a gamble that you have to decide for yourself.