Regarding the "little extras" (forwarded from my father): * Provided the car is of "average" reliability or better, an extended warranty is almost certainly a waste of money. (Most things will go wrong -- if they go wrong -- in the regular warranty period; if the car proves to be a lemon, you're better off trading it in.) * The various undercoatings (which were still being pushed fairly hard as recently as 2004/5) are also pretty much a waste. (You'll do just as well with the car as it left the factory.)
I do know that Toyota will offer a form of Scotchguard for the interior fabrics; you can probably do better aftermarket -- or by not being messy. I suspect that other mfrs will have something similar.
Likewise, Toyota has a "roadside assistance" plan they push. I suspect that CAA would suffice, as would knowing how to change a tyre and keeping the gas tank non-empty. (Admittedly, having changed a tyre in -26 degree weather, -34 with the wind (and, yes, those numbers got frozen into my brain), paying someone else to do the job seems a minor luxury that might well be worth the cost.)
no subject
* Provided the car is of "average" reliability or better, an extended warranty is almost certainly a waste of money. (Most things will go wrong -- if they go wrong -- in the regular warranty period; if the car proves to be a lemon, you're better off trading it in.)
* The various undercoatings (which were still being pushed fairly hard as recently as 2004/5) are also pretty much a waste. (You'll do just as well with the car as it left the factory.)
I do know that Toyota will offer a form of Scotchguard for the interior fabrics; you can probably do better aftermarket -- or by not being messy. I suspect that other mfrs will have something similar.
Likewise, Toyota has a "roadside assistance" plan they push. I suspect that CAA would suffice, as would knowing how to change a tyre and keeping the gas tank non-empty. (Admittedly, having changed a tyre in -26 degree weather, -34 with the wind (and, yes, those numbers got frozen into my brain), paying someone else to do the job seems a minor luxury that might well be worth the cost.)