Extended warranty- getting my money's worth

So for better or for worse I bit on the extended warranty, which covers minor scratches, upholstery stains, and all preventative maintenance for 7 years.

They have buffed out pinstriping from trees so many times I'm losing count. They know me, every time I schedule an oil change they build in time for body work. I'm waiting for them to buff right through the paint, then I'll bitch for a new paint job.

 

Hey, you paid for it and you should use it anytime you like, They didn't complain when they took your money LOL

 

That's great, when I bought my 98 Tacoma I got free oil change as long as I owned the truck. Well I owned that truck 18 yrs. and that equaled 1 oil change and free chocolate chip cookies every 3000 miles.

 

That's like shooting yourself in the leg so that you'll "get your money's worth" from your health insurance. But I guess that's your business.

 

No... more like I knew I'd be wheeling the truck when I bought the insurance.

 

Just me, again it's your business, but an aftermarket paint job is no where near as good as factory so I wouldn't wish for one. I also wouldn't want to take the risk of a dealer really messing up my point job. Not unless you want to see your Tacoma rust out like a Ram.
But then again if you are wheeling, you may not care about the paint.

 

Is the warranty that you have just the 7 year/100,000 mile one? I sprung for it too, but had no idea about the paint and upholstery benefits. I have a few chips in my bumper from debris on the highway, I wonder if the warranty I bought would take care of having those touched up?

 

Doubt it.

 

Wait, the extended warranty covers paint and upholstery stains? Didn't know that.

I'm tempted to go throw coffee all over my front and back seats to get a nice shampoo job out of it.

 

It's worth checking- mine covers it. I've easily gotten my money's worth and still have 5 years left on it.

 

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Extended warranty normally does not cover paint ... usually only those smaller specialized warranties ... check your warranty contract.

 

Damn, just checked. Mine is definitely not covered, paint or upholstery. Both show up in the "gray" section bottom right

http://www.toyotacertified.com/ebrochures/tcuv_platinum_vsa.pdf

 

How much did you pay for the warranty OP ?

 

I think it was $3000.

 

I'll keep my scratches, thank you. If I already had it I would have them buff the thing every oil change too though.

 

Dayuuumn Nevermind. Mine was $1k

 

Yeah, but that's all preventative maintenance for 7 years too. Toyota gives you 2, so I assumed I'd do $600/year in maintenance after that- especially including cosmetic stuff- and I wheel pretty hard. It only covers paintless dent repair, but still I've had three good dents pulled and buffed, and at least 3 buffing passes on tree pinstriping. And two upholstery stains. Yeah, I pretty much have them do something cosmetic every time it's in.

 

I've had my Tacoma 9 years and 172,000 miles. I haven't spent $3000 total on oil changes, tires, batteries, brakes or all other repairs. Most extended warranties are a waste of money. Virtually any defect is going to show up within the 1st year or 2 and be covered by the factory warranty. If you haven't had any issues by 50,000 miles you'll likely go 300,000 miles before spending any serious money on one.

 

I'd be curious to hear from anyone with knowledge of body work prices. I'm figuring 3 dents would have been $400 each, and the buffing $150 each time. Maybe $150 for the upholstery. So in two years I've racked up over half the cost of the plan in cosmetic work. And I really only started wheeling a year ago. I'll get more than my money out of it for sure.

 

Some aftermarket jobs are eons better than factory, but I see what you're saying. They wouldn't cover that kind of job.

That's a lot of money OP, but it's worth it since it's making you happy. I can see the appeal of knowing paintless dent and scratch removal is covered. I'd stress a lot less in parking lots if I had that.