Could Future Car Repairs Financially Cripple You?

My friend Kerry was proud to be on the cutting edge of hybrid technology when he bought a Toyota Prius a few years ago.

He's less proud to be on the cutting edge of hybrid-technology repairs. He just paid a bundle to replace the car's transaxle, part of the vehicle's new-wave continuously variable transmission, which failed just after the warranty expired.

"The dealer initially told me it would be $3,000 just for the labor, and $5,000 for the part. That's 40% of the original base price of the car!"

Kerry said, "I pushed back and they waived -- miraculously -- the part cost, maybe because we had recently bought a second Prius from them. … But the labor charge remained. Ouch."

 

supermoto - 8/4/2008 12:45:50 PM

0 Boost

Foolish!

enp83 - 8/4/2008 2:13:46 PM

+1 Boost

I can't get the link to display the story but if the prices are high because it's a CVT then it can affect hybrids and non hybrids. Not all hybrids have CVTs. The Insight and first gen Civic hybrid had manual transmissions. GM's mild hybrids have 4spd automatics. GM's new two mode hybrids do not have CVTs either. Nissan, Audi and others have been using CVTs in non hybrids vehicles for a while not too (as well as ATVs, scooters, etc).

EnnNorak - 8/5/2008 1:14:40 AM

+3 Boost

Car repairs are crippling some people now and it can only get worse in the future. Politicians are to blame for excessive regulation requiring expensive components. Keep it simple stupid !

neutral - 8/4/2008 12:46:05 PM

+1 Boost

Cmon, Toyota is perfect. This article HAS to be a lie. The Prius is going to save the earth, isnt it? (Sarcasm).

This is just going to happen, the Prius is a great car, but its still a machine. (I personally wouldn't want one b/c too many Prius owners have their noses way too far in the air.) New techonologies are going to have their problems. Of course Toyota/Honda won't get any criticism, even if the Prius was a lemon.

It'll be interesting to see what people post on this article. A few weeks back there was an article on the Saturn Vue Hybrid batteries overheating, and there was a veritable storm of GM-haters ready to pounce on GM.

Agent009 - 8/4/2008 12:56:39 PM

+3 Boost

You can substitute darn near nay car for that example.

Consumers are demanding more technology, but want it cheaper not more expensive. I have to admit it is pretty scary pricing parts for the newer cars now a days.

neutral - 8/4/2008 1:36:52 PM

+1 Boost

I feel sorry for the consumers in the coming years. I've analyzed some of the newer technologies coming out and they are amazing to look and and research, but awfully complicated.

Consumers beware, Barak Obama's 50mile per gallon pledge will only drive the price of your econo-box up by about $5000.

EnnNorak - 8/7/2008 6:56:07 PM

+1 Boost

Why 204E60? Do you like what you see?

sector - 8/4/2008 1:10:00 PM

-3 Boost

"I pushed back and they waived -- miraculously -- the part cost"

No surprise here, Toyota, Lexus always take care of its customers... that's why they're #1 is customer satisfaction, unlike some German brands :(

Hose - 8/4/2008 1:42:38 PM

+3 Boost

Last year, had a clutch go out on an Audi A6. Car was under warranty, but Audi denied the claim. They wanted $3,500 for a clutch replacement ($175/hr labor)... not the whole transmission, just the clutch!

komododave - 8/4/2008 1:44:30 PM

0 Boost

That was the dealerships choice, not Toyota's

EnnNorak - 8/5/2008 1:23:39 AM

-1 Boost

Hose, I am a great Audi fan but, 15 or 20 years ago, when I used to winter in Florida, I had a corroded leaky fuel line on my Audi due to ocean salt spray and the local dealer wanted $1,200 to fix it. I was so pissed off that I drove all the way up to Jacksonville where I had the job done for only $300 and I had a hell of a time getting the mechanic to accept my $20 tip. I leaked 120 litres of gas along I-95 but gas was cheap back then.

Audi has really cleaned up its act since then and I have yet to find a crooked Audi dealer.

AMiodynski - 8/4/2008 1:35:12 PM

+1 Boost

And that's why you buy the extended warranty !!! I'll spend the $1,200 on a 7yr 100k warranty all day long. Pays for itself and then some !!!

EnnNorak - 8/7/2008 6:58:53 PM

+1 Boost

I should not be ripped off with extended warranty costs. No fuel or brake line should ever corrode to the point where it leaks fluid. These lines should be mandated to be made of stainless steel but government safety nazis lack the brains to think of these things.

AMiodynski - 8/4/2008 1:35:54 PM

0 Boost

As far as the price, it's not much higher than blwoig up and engine and having a new one replacing it installed....

daytonaviolet - 8/4/2008 1:52:39 PM

0 Boost

michaeltaylor?

truckmen - 8/5/2008 1:26:56 AM

-1 Boost

That is why I would wait for Honda to make something to compete with Toyota. So far Honda service has been great! Every Toyota dealer that I have dealt with they have tried to over charge me! Only assholes are promoted to be service managers.

truckmen - 8/9/2008 5:06:05 AM

+1 Boost

I have been de-boosted by a Toyota service manager!

PrancingHorse - 8/5/2008 5:16:00 AM

+2 Boost

I dont keep any car after 5 yrs because the costs on BMW,Benz,are outrageous.Hybrids are just a marketing gimmick until the technology catchs up with the promises made by the manufacturer.