Should I buy a service plan?

Just hit 30k on my 23 Taco. Toyota care expired at 25k. I had an extended service plan on my previous Tacoma and it was nice to just go to the dealer every 3 months and there was no haggle or big charges. I didn't buy this truck from Toyota so I don't have one on it. Just went to the dealer for my 30k service and if I was dumb enough to believe them I would've been payed probably $800 in service. They were trying to upsell like I've never seen. Wanted to take my whole fuel system apart and clean it?? If the engine is running fine don't take it apart. Also claimed my alignment is off because "their scanner at the door" could tell.

Wondering if I should walk into the finance office and just buy another service plan. Generally about $1200. I'm gonna spend that after just two oil changes if they keep at this rate.

Either that or I say screw Toyota and go to a jiffy lube or something every 5k lol Is there really any benefit to having the dealer do service other thank getting your wallet raided?

Side note: I'm about to lift and tune this thing. They're probably gonna hate that anyways.

 

Run. They wouldn't be trying to sell the service plan if they weren't making so much money on it.

 

So there are no quality trustworthy independent automobile shops where you live? That's what you should be looking for. But then again, what the hell do I know.

 

Screw those guys! Those are all major warning signs. Take things into control for yourself. There are many small easy to do maintenance items that are DIY friendly.

Also, Find an good independent shop or another dealership you may be comfortable with.

Check this maintenance map for yourself. These trucks are quite easy to schedule for maintenance on your own.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-maps-get-300k-miles.789809/

 

Change the oil, I use a shop or even dealer if there is a special but never jiffy lube or those types of rive through oil change places. Had a bad experience. Oil leaking from cross threaded plug..

I use a tire shop for tires and alignment.

had a service plan that was nice but expensive. It’s insurance and you need to make a call. If the plastic cross over pipe fails it’s covered.
Again risk reward.

 

i work at a dealership- the contracts arent terrible because you can request the oil change and rotate every service- for example, we sell them for $350- five oil changes and rotates for $350 isn't terrible- you get 3 years to use them- Whats the cost of oil, filter and time? toyota pays us $20 per contract we sell because it brings customers through the door for other upsells

 

What do you get with the service plan? If it’s nothing more than oil change I would find an independent shop.

 

oil change, rotate, fluids topped off and a general once over the vehicle- it's worth it if you are not capable- its especially
good for the 6/7 qt vehicles

 

Another viewpoint of fishing. Hook, line and sinker.

 

The answer to your question seems simple to me. Look at what the service plan includes, add up the costs if you did the sane things without a service plan, and then decide if the savings are worth being tied to the same shop.

You could also compare costs at an independent shop.

Whether the plan is transferable is important if you might sell the truck before the plan is over.

 

I only do oil changes at my dealership because they offer a lifetime powertrain warranty as long as oil changes are done in-house. When I spoke to them about spark plugs and preventative maintenance they said that I can take it somewhere else as long as I have the paperwork showing that it was done by a reputable mechanic, so I’m looking for a shop here that’s not gonna bend me over to do spark plugs. I’m planning on doing the diff and transmission services myself since those aren’t too hard to handle.

All of that said, no real reason to go to the dealership for service unless they’re offering something like that.

 

Jiffy Lube.... dude living on the edge....

 

Usually these plans are on a time frame too. If you don’t get them on said time you generally get shafted on at least one service. I didn’t stay on top of it and they shafted me on my 55k major service since it was over their time frame. Granted I paid $600 for 2 years on top of my Toyota 25k service if I recall.

I’d recommend maybe hitting your regions page for a good mechanic. I found one highly recommended and dedicates his time specifically for my truck and is cheaper/better/faster than the dealer.

 

This is very sound advice. Never use these 5 minute oil change places. They will not do you a good job. I'd advise taking it to the stearlership before one of the quick oil change places.

 

First let me say I know some TW members might not have a place to do your own maintenance. Some TW members might not feel comfortable doing your own maintenance.

Those are not issues for me. I do all maintenance and repairs in my garage and driveway. I take my time and do it right because I care about my truck. I like to crawl underneath to make sure everything looks good.

Check out the how to videos in post #1 of the Maintenance Map thread and see what maintenance you feel comfortable doing yourself.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-maps-get-300k-miles.789809/

 

Well the spark plugs are not located there so I don't think anybody will do that.

 

Most of the preventative maintenance recommended isn't too difficult with tools and patience and youtube. I think the one dealership advantage is the toyota corp backing and the warranty. I'll admit we've had a couple oil spills from drain plugs or oil filters, but we made those wrongs right. Dealerships have a lot of money and can afford mistakes.

****I do want to emphasize the important of regular maintenance, but if you have any extended warranty, please save some sort of receipts proving that maintenance.

 

Toyota service might have the money to make it right, but they dont give a shit about the frustration or inconvenience created by their mistakes.

 

@MindlessCorpse i super disagree. It totally inconveniences us how far my dealership goes to make it right for the customer.

 

It's your money. Do what you want with it.

If you're going to buy the extended service plan you should invest in ocean front property in Arizona too.