Prius less economical as experience and miles pile on

cbs4 · 11-05-2006, 12:23 PM

My Prius is currently in the shop to fix a headlight that goes out intermittantly.

In every other car I own, a non working headlight means $20.00 spent at the local autoparts store.

However, with the Prius, the cost is $2,000. Literally. 100 times higher.

While reading the forum today, I learned of another Priuschat member whose 12V battery had one cell that went bad. When a battery goes bad in every other car I own, that means $45.00 at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or the local auto store.

However, with the Prius, the cost was reported to be $488. 10 times higher.

Continuing to read the forums, I find a fellow '06 Prius owner whose MFD went out intermittantly. Reading further, there appears to be enough trouble with MFD's to inspire another member to begin a sideline business helping Prius owners obtain refurbished ones. Many "economical" cars don't have MFDs, so this is a hard one to compare. I have a non-economical truck that has a touch screen navigation system, and it's replacement cost is about $1,000.

However, with the Prius, the reported replacement cost is $4,000. Still 4 times higher.

So, with just a headlight, a battery, and screen replacment, we have a $6,488 repair bill.

That's just one headlight away from being able to buy a brand new economical Hyundai with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Or a Ford Focus. Or a Kia.

At the end of the day, and ignoring the ecological issue of disposing all the parts that have to be replaced, is the Prius really that economical?

rfred · 11-05-2006, 12:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cbs4 @ Nov 5 2006, 11:23 AM) [snapback]344113[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My Prius is currently in the shop to fix a headlight that goes out intermittantly.

In every other car I own, a non working headlight means $20.00 spent at the local autoparts store.

However, with the Prius, the cost is $2,000. Literally. 100 times higher.

While reading the forum today, I learned of another Priuschat member whose 12V battery had one cell that went bad. When a battery goes bad in every other car I own, that means $45.00 at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or the local auto store.

However, with the Prius, the cost was reported to be $488. 10 times higher.

Continuing to read the forums, I find a fellow '06 Prius owner whose MFD went out intermittantly. Reading further, there appears to be enough trouble with MFD's to inspire another member to begin a sideline business helping Prius owners obtain refurbished ones. Many "economical" cars don't have MFDs, so this is a hard one to compare. I have a non-economical truck that has a touch screen navigation system, and it's replacement cost is about $1,000.

However, with the Prius, the reported replacement cost is $4,000. Still 4 times higher.

So, with just a headlight, a battery, and screen replacment, we have a $6,488 repair bill.

That's just one headlight away from being able to buy a brand new economical Hyundai with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Or a Ford Focus. Or a Kia.

At the end of the day, and ignoring the ecological issue of disposing all the parts that have to be replaced, is the Prius really that economical?
[/b]

**Tideland Prius** · 11-05-2006, 12:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cbs4 @ Nov 5 2006, 09:23 AM) [snapback]344113[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My Prius is currently in the shop to fix a headlight that goes out intermittantly.

In every other car I own, a non working headlight means $20.00 spent at the local autoparts store.

However, with the Prius, the cost is $2,000. Literally. 100 times higher.

While reading the forum today, I learned of another Priuschat member whose 12V battery had one cell that went bad. When a battery goes bad in every other car I own, that means $45.00 at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or the local auto store.

However, with the Prius, the cost was reported to be $488. 10 times higher.

Continuing to read the forums, I find a fellow '06 Prius owner whose MFD went out intermittantly. Reading further, there appears to be enough trouble with MFD's to inspire another member to begin a sideline business helping Prius owners obtain refurbished ones. Many "economical" cars don't have MFDs, so this is a hard one to compare. I have a non-economical truck that has a touch screen navigation system, and it's replacement cost is about $1,000.

However, with the Prius, the reported replacement cost is $4,000. Still 4 times higher.

So, with just a headlight, a battery, and screen replacment, we have a $6,488 repair bill.

That's just one headlight away from being able to buy a brand new economical Hyundai with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Or a Ford Focus. Or a Kia.

At the end of the day, and ignoring the ecological issue of disposing all the parts that have to be replaced, is the Prius really that economical?
[/b]

Depends.

Did any of your former cars have HIDs?

Were any of your former cars new models?

What exactly did they replace? just the headlight unit? If so, that's damn expensive

I believe the 12V was quoted less somewhere here, probably in that same thread you're insinuating. $488 is ridiculous, I agree

A brand new MFD is $4k. A refurbished is $400. Your pickup with nav is probably similar to the Solara or the last gen Camry with nav - it replaces the radio unit (i.e. it's a radio/CD/nav system) as opposed to the newer systems now that come with the MFD, not to mention you have the latest and highest res screen that makes ours look primative.

KTPhil · 11-05-2006, 12:44 PM

It has been true for decades that the sum of the cost of parts far exceeds the purchase price of the car when new. This is not unique to the Prius.

**efusco** · 11-05-2006, 12:57 PM

You've been doing some pretty selective and/or incomplete reading.
First, I'd like more details on your headlight fix. AFAIK the HIDs are expensive, in the $300-400 range...any car w/HIDs will cost you that much to replace. If you're being charged for as much as you state there must be more to the story or you're just getting totally ripped off. The days of a $20 replacement bulb are long gone.

Next, as someone else pointed out above the MFD can be replaced for $400. This item is also covered under the 3/36k warranty and shouldn't require replacement for any but a select few first year owners....even then most people who've raised a stink have managed to get a free replacement out of warranty...and it is covered under the extended warranty.

The 12v battery is pretty unique and custom and costs more than a battery should. You can replace it yourself in a matter of minutes for around $150...high, but not the $400 something you stated. There were diagnostic issues and installation costs paid by the other poster.

So, yes, replacement costs of some of the unique and complex parts can be expensive, but replacement of individual parts on most other modern cars are as well. This is not unique to Prius. I chose to get the extended warranty, in large part, b/c of the possibility of issues w/ some of these expensive parts.

cbs4 · 11-05-2006, 01:17 PM

KTPHIL, I'm not trying to rebuild a Prius here. I'm just trying to keep it running and safe. I didn't mention fender panels or sub frames. I did mention batteries, headlights, and an interior membrane that people poke their fingers into many times every day.

Tideland, the other cars I'm comparing are ones that I've also purchased "new", but that shouldn't really make a difference in what is becoming my growing concern with respect to maintaining the Prius.

The replacement costs for items that even the Toyota Extra Care Platinum Extended Warranty (insurance) plan classify as noncovered normal replacement wear items, like the 12V battery, and the headlights, are from 10 to 100 times the cost of the same replacement items in other cars.

Interestingly enough, the Headlamp Washer is covered. Phew!

As is the Automatic Off Headlamp Sensor, Timer, and Switch; the Headlight Control Relay; the Taillight Control Relay; the Back Up light Switch; the Back Up light Assembly; the Side Marker Light Assembly, the Turn Signal Light Flasher and Assembly; even the Fog Light Assembly...

But NOT the headlight assembly.

In other words, not the part that is used most often, and is expected to wear out.

Had I known that the dealer would charge $2,000 to replace one, I might have altered the calculus I used to delude myself into thinking that "in the long run, the Prius is more economical."

Things are starting to look differently now that experience and miles have piled on.

Tempus · 11-05-2006, 01:31 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cbs4 @ Nov 5 2006, 01:17 PM) [snapback]344137[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Had I known that the dealer would charge $2,000 to replace one, [/b]

You still haven't answered the question. Replace What and Why?

jamarimutt · 11-05-2006, 01:33 PM

I can understand how Cbs4 feels. At 46,000 miles my ABS system quit. How much will the repair cost? I don't know, I'm afraid to ask, I've continued driving the car as is. At close to 50,000 miles the MFD started working intermitently. Again, I've continued to drive the car as is. It certainly looks like in the long run all the savings in gas will not come close to the additional repair costs.

As to the extended warranty, if one must purchase one of these because one's afraid of repair costs, the car's not reliable and not worth it.

cbs4 · 11-05-2006, 01:34 PM

"the 400 something you stated" and someone earlier said "insinuated" is directly from a post of another Priuschat member. That poster said $488... I don't know how to post links, but the post was fairly recent (as in I first saw the thread today, as it simply popped up as the first thread in the Care and Maintenance forums.)

My Prius has about 33,000 miles. It is still under the original factory warranty, so Toyota is covering the headlight this time. I have not seen the repair order yet, and the dealer still has the car. It is from the service writer that I garnered the information about the final cost.

Apparantly, the front bumper assembly has to be removed, according to the service writer. This is at a dealership recommended by various posters on this very forum as being fair and forthright.

When I get the paperwork (and the car) back, I'll be happy to report whatever is stated on the RO.

I'm not thrilled about having this much work done to a new car. The dealer said this has never occured in his dealership before, so they are "learning" on my car. That's never been good in my experience. Usually, stuff doesn't get put back quite right, and then future problems occur which are deemed as fate, but have their roots in misassembly by rushed and unknowing technicians intent on resolving the initial problem.

I've had two Honda's prior to this Prius that my wife put 300K and 350K miles on respectively, and the bumper assembly didn't have to be removed until the cars were involved with fender benders.

And I replaced a headlamp on one of them. $20 bucks.

richard schumacher · 11-05-2006, 01:42 PM

Prius is not an economy car. Did you really buy yours thinking that it was?

11-05-2006, 12:57 PM	#5
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 19,611 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 214 Thanked 870 Times in 505 Posts Friends: 47	You've been doing some pretty selective and/or incomplete reading. First, I'd like more details on your headlight fix. AFAIK the HIDs are expensive, in the $300-400 range...any car w/HIDs will cost you that much to replace. If you're being charged for as much as you state there must be more to the story or you're just getting totally ripped off. The days of a $20 replacement bulb are long gone. Next, as someone else pointed out above the MFD can be replaced for $400. This item is also covered under the 3/36k warranty and shouldn't require replacement for any but a select few first year owners....even then most people who've raised a stink have managed to get a free replacement out of warranty...and it is covered under the extended warranty. The 12v battery is pretty unique and custom and costs more than a battery should. You can replace it yourself in a matter of minutes for around $150...high, but not the $400 something you stated. There were diagnostic issues and installation costs paid by the other poster. So, yes, replacement costs of some of the unique and complex parts can be expensive, but replacement of individual parts on most other modern cars are as well. This is not unique to Prius. I chose to get the extended warranty, in large part, b/c of the possibility of issues w/ some of these expensive parts. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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11-05-2006, 12:23 PM	#1
cbs4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 100 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My Prius is currently in the shop to fix a headlight that goes out intermittantly. In every other car I own, a non working headlight means $20.00 spent at the local autoparts store. However, with the Prius, the cost is $2,000. Literally. 100 times higher. While reading the forum today, I learned of another Priuschat member whose 12V battery had one cell that went bad. When a battery goes bad in every other car I own, that means $45.00 at Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, or the local auto store. However, with the Prius, the cost was reported to be $488. 10 times higher. Continuing to read the forums, I find a fellow '06 Prius owner whose MFD went out intermittantly. Reading further, there appears to be enough trouble with MFD's to inspire another member to begin a sideline business helping Prius owners obtain refurbished ones. Many "economical" cars don't have MFDs, so this is a hard one to compare. I have a non-economical truck that has a touch screen navigation system, and it's replacement cost is about $1,000. However, with the Prius, the reported replacement cost is $4,000. Still 4 times higher. So, with just a headlight, a battery, and screen replacment, we have a $6,488 repair bill. That's just one headlight away from being able to buy a brand new economical Hyundai with a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Or a Ford Focus. Or a Kia. At the end of the day, and ignoring the ecological issue of disposing all the parts that have to be replaced, is the Prius really that economical?

11-05-2006, 12:44 PM	#4
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,377 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	It has been true for decades that the sum of the cost of parts far exceeds the purchase price of the car when new. This is not unique to the Prius.

11-05-2006, 01:17 PM	#6
cbs4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 100 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	KTPHIL, I'm not trying to rebuild a Prius here. I'm just trying to keep it running and safe. I didn't mention fender panels or sub frames. I did mention batteries, headlights, and an interior membrane that people poke their fingers into many times every day. Tideland, the other cars I'm comparing are ones that I've also purchased "new", but that shouldn't really make a difference in what is becoming my growing concern with respect to maintaining the Prius. The replacement costs for items that even the Toyota Extra Care Platinum Extended Warranty (insurance) plan classify as noncovered normal replacement wear items, like the 12V battery, and the headlights, are from 10 to 100 times the cost of the same replacement items in other cars. Interestingly enough, the Headlamp Washer is covered. Phew! As is the Automatic Off Headlamp Sensor, Timer, and Switch; the Headlight Control Relay; the Taillight Control Relay; the Back Up light Switch; the Back Up light Assembly; the Side Marker Light Assembly, the Turn Signal Light Flasher and Assembly; even the Fog Light Assembly... But NOT the headlight assembly. In other words, not the part that is used most often, and is expected to wear out. Had I known that the dealer would charge $2,000 to replace one, I might have altered the calculus I used to delude myself into thinking that "in the long run, the Prius is more economical." Things are starting to look differently now that experience and miles have piled on.

11-05-2006, 01:33 PM	#8
jamarimutt Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 986 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	I can understand how Cbs4 feels. At 46,000 miles my ABS system quit. How much will the repair cost? I don't know, I'm afraid to ask, I've continued driving the car as is. At close to 50,000 miles the MFD started working intermitently. Again, I've continued to drive the car as is. It certainly looks like in the long run all the savings in gas will not come close to the additional repair costs. As to the extended warranty, if one must purchase one of these because one's afraid of repair costs, the car's not reliable and not worth it.

11-05-2006, 01:34 PM	#9
cbs4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 100 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	"the 400 something you stated" and someone earlier said "insinuated" is directly from a post of another Priuschat member. That poster said $488... I don't know how to post links, but the post was fairly recent (as in I first saw the thread today, as it simply popped up as the first thread in the Care and Maintenance forums.) My Prius has about 33,000 miles. It is still under the original factory warranty, so Toyota is covering the headlight this time. I have not seen the repair order yet, and the dealer still has the car. It is from the service writer that I garnered the information about the final cost. Apparantly, the front bumper assembly has to be removed, according to the service writer. This is at a dealership recommended by various posters on this very forum as being fair and forthright. When I get the paperwork (and the car) back, I'll be happy to report whatever is stated on the RO. I'm not thrilled about having this much work done to a new car. The dealer said this has never occured in his dealership before, so they are "learning" on my car. That's never been good in my experience. Usually, stuff doesn't get put back quite right, and then future problems occur which are deemed as fate, but have their roots in misassembly by rushed and unknowing technicians intent on resolving the initial problem. I've had two Honda's prior to this Prius that my wife put 300K and 350K miles on respectively, and the bumper assembly didn't have to be removed until the cars were involved with fender benders. And I replaced a headlamp on one of them. $20 bucks.

11-05-2006, 01:42 PM	#10
richard schumacher shortbus driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 7,379 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 583 Thanked 758 Times in 306 Posts Friends: 0	Prius is not an economy car. Did you really buy yours thinking that it was?