Extended Service plan, worth it?

[ddeuber]

I bought a 2026 4Runner Hybrid TRD Off-Road Premium in August and plan to keep it long-term. When my previous Highlander was totaled, I received a prorated refund on the extended service plan, which impressed me.


For those who bought Toyota’s extended service plan, was it worth it? Any experience with repairs covered, and is it worth shopping around for a better price?

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[MikeK]

I have experience with Mopar's extended warranty (Ram 1500)and it was definitely worth it.
When I made the switch to Toyota, I purchased the extended warranty as well. Since my TH is only 1 year old, I haven't had the chance to experience using the extended plan, but IMO, it's worth it if you're keeping the vehicle past the 3 yr/36k factory warranty.
I used to work in the automotive field and have heard too many bad things about the aftermarket extended warranty companies, so it may be good to steer clear of those.

 

[ddeuber]

Quoted 5 years and $2500 at Carson Nev dealer.

I do like the idea of locking prices on services as we all see significant inflation trends.

 

[Joestac]

There are a few threads on here about that. That price you got sounds awful unless things have gotten much worse. People are getting the 10 year warranty for that cost. There is a link in there for fdwarranty, they can sell you them directly. Same as you get from any dealer.

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/extended-warranty-for-the-6th-gen.6591/

 

[ddeuber]

Joe,
I'm looking for extended service (not warranty).
It means the free service you get with the car at purchase is extended.

 

[Joestac]

Joe,
I'm looking for extended service (not warranty).
It means the free service you get with the car at purchase is extended.

Ah. I can't help with that, sorry. I do most of my own maintenance since the dealers overcharge and have a history of messing things up.

Would probably come down to what they cover. Did they give you any kind of info sheet?

 

[MikeK]

Joe,
I'm looking for extended service (not warranty).
It means the free service you get with the car at purchase is extended.

I misunderstood this as well. I skipped on the extended service since I do most of my own maintenance as well.

 

[alligatorsauce]

Quoted 5 years and $2500 at Carson Nev dealer.

I do like the idea of locking prices on services as we all see significant inflation trends.

You should definitely call one of the online guys. I used Troy Dietrich. There’s another guy that also sells online. They both work at Toyota dealerships and sell OEM VSAs for the same price (rumor is that they sell for around $50 above cost and make money via volume sales).

I got the 10 yr Platinum VSA for under $2,000.

 

[onlywayman]

I am @ 38K bought 5yr 125K plan
$2100 only because it was first year gen 6
all of my other toyotas never bought plan
Running smooooth! All other 3 toyotas over 1 million miles 2 sold 1 junked

 

[Nodak]

extended service plans.

just note they are based on 10k service intervals (oil changes) or owners maint manual intervals. so if you dont like those ranges, better to not get it.

 

[josiahg52]

I think OP is asking about SERVICE plans, ToyotaCare Plus, not a warranty, Toyota VSA. VSA does stand for Vehicle Service Agreement, it's only a warranty and doesn't include maintenance (service).

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

In my opinion, service (preventive maintenance) plans are a waste of money. An extended warranty on the other hand is not.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'll add to this post. Has anyone noticed that a lot of the car commercials today are focused on Service Center maintenance and how you will be in good hands and they show them shaking the person's hand, also every Mercedes commercial isn't about the car or features it's about the service!!

This leads me to think that they're subliminally programming our minds to bring in our cars and did use to the dealerships for service or getting us used to the fact that they are going to fail or plant the seed of doubt.

I Know This falls into maybe a mild conspiracy thought, but it's very interesting that most of them all point to service centers as their best attribute they have to the car sales.

 

[Nodak]

yeah but the die hards that buy the BoF will still want the ability to service basic items. i can see the push for all uni-bodies but its going to be an uphill battle on the BoF vehicles.

 

[MikeK]

I'll add to this post. Has anyone noticed that a lot of the car commercials today are focused on Service Center maintenance and how you will be in good hands and they show them shaking the person's hand, also every Mercedes commercial isn't about the car or features it's about the service!!

This leads me to think that they're subliminally programming our minds to bring in our cars and did use to the dealerships for service or getting us used to the fact that they are going to fail or plant the seed of doubt.

I Know This falls into maybe a mild conspiracy thought, but it's very interesting that most of them all point to service centers as their best attribute they have to the car sales.

It's just a marketing/advertising tactic to help generate more service business for the dealerships, not necessarily programming minds.
Let's face it, a lot of people don't know WTF they're doing when they try to work on their own car, even the so-called backyard mechanics. I've seen it firsthand when I used to work in auto parts.

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