New Member needs Advice Please

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Hi, I joined a few days back and I am still trying to digest all the info on here, it's a top site.

I take delivery of a Parado Sept 2003 build diesel next Thursday from Jarvis Ford, Adelaide.

With the Parado, they offer a free three year mechanical and electrical warranty.

To maintain the warranty I will have to drive 380klm to Adelaide and back and leave it with them for the day, as I have to let them do the service every 10,000k's.

I believe that they have a fixed price of $198.00 for the service, however, that does not include parts other than oil.

If I miss a service or go over the due date, that's the end of the warranty.

I can do the basic service myself, change gloplugs, filters and oil etc for much less.

Any major service I can take to my local bloke.

I am dubious about the 3 year warranty, from experience there are generally so many conditions they can easily worm their way out of fixing anything.

The car has only done 50,000, if it's serviced and checked (by me) every 5000k, my chances of any major problems appear to be very low.

Should I let them service it where they have me by the wheel nuts as to what they charge, OR, do it myself with help from the local mechanic?

I look forward to being a long term member of your forum.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: New Member needs Advice Please

I cannot advise you what to do in regards to the 3 year warranty, that is something you will have to weigh up yourself. What I can say is that the Jarvis Toyota service department have an excellent reputation for servicing 4WD's. I was advised on numerous occasions by 4WD owners to take my Prado to Jarvis toyota on South Rd. They have done my major servicing on my Prado and I have been very impressed with the results.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: New Member needs Advice Please

These 'extended warranties' are more 'extended service guarantees'. That is, they ensure you keep coming back to them so that they keep getting a regular income from your vehicle servicing. But check out the fine print, sometimes you can get the vehicle serviced elsewhere still, but only at the primary service agent's permission. I agree with your concern... often too many chances for them to void the warranty if you don't fully comply and something does go wrong.

You could otherwise take out your own extended warranty via someone like Swann Insurance (who often underwrites many of the extended warranties for car companies). These types of warranty only require you to conduct regular servicing an proper authorised agents (of your choice). There's another thread about these somewhere if you search with further information.

I was recently provided with the following information from Swann Insurance:

Vehicle Eligible within 36mths /80,000 km
Nil excess With $100 Excess
12mths 100,000km $790 12mths 100,000km $680
24mths 100,000km $1150 24mths 100,000km $920
36mths 100,000km $1490 36mths 100,000km $1190

Maybe you could decline the extended 'service' warranty and seek a further discount on the price.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be limited to a single service agent - too restrictive IMHO. Of course, it will be a matter for you to decide as suggested by mav. 8)

ps Welcome to PPoint and don't forget to add your location to your profile.

[joey Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close joey]

Re: New Member needs Advice Please

i think you have to also consider that if something serious goes wrong you want your rig under warranty from toyota to save yourself from forking out big dollars....
i know with mine i destroyed cv joints and drive shaft and they replaced it all saving me a few thousand..

my 2 cents

joey

[oldsalt Member Find all posts View Profile Close oldsalt]

Re: New Member needs Advice Please

Thanks for all the advice.

I phoned Jarvis and apparently they didn't explain everything to me as the girl that does it was off work?

Anyway, I can take the car to any Jarvis branch, so, I will go to their Toyota dealership.

The fixed fee of $198 does include normal parts required for a service, filters, oil etc.

I collect the vehicle next Thursday and I have spent a fortune on it already.

A nudge bar, window tinting, tailored sheepskin seatcovers, sandgrabba mats all round, sandgrabba cargo mat and more.

I read on here that you can spent in excess of $20,00 modding a Prado, they are not wrong.

EDIT: I have just been told that the warranty does not cover normal wear and tear.
Am I wrong to think that most repairs would be related to normal wear and tear?
Additionally, I'm told that they will always claim wear and tear and if in doubt make you contribute to the cost.
The decision is getting harder to make.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: New Member needs Advice Please

Oldsalt, normal wear n tear normally relates to tyres, batteries, exhaust, brakes etc, which aren't covered under any warranty.