Absolutely right! Too much money! I hate extended warranties and turn 'em down for everything from refrigerators to telephones. The reasons I reversed my position and bought the warranty up front:

1. I can identify many of the components under the hood, most of which look really expensive to replace. I figure the transmission alone, which is now managing an engine, a motor, and determining if power's going in or out, would be prone to going manic (I would with that much stress.) After being told a transmission in a Dodge Caravan would be $2000 to replace, $1400 seems OK. This boils down to piece of mind.

2. The earlier you buy in, the more stuff they give you. It gets more expensive and they don't cover as much if you wait. The warranty offered at selling is through Toyota with no deductible. There are other things like hotel, towing, blah blah blah. I turned down the extended warranty on my Nissan pick-up truck several years back. The dealer's offer was through Nissan, but the mailings were for GE Services, I believe.

3. It could get built into the loan.

4. HSD is well tested, but it's still new.


I was extremely fortunate the dealer I bought from had no hidden costs, second stickers, or pointless upgrades, so it was eaiser to swallow. I'll be happy if I never need it.

By the way, the batteries are not covered by the warrenty (they have their own 80,000 mile warrenty.)

Thanks.