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Is my mechanic correct?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Mitchellsprius, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. Mitchellsprius

    Mitchellsprius New Member

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    I was talking to my mechanic today while he was fixing my wife's infinity. He said there are lots of Prius at the auctions like 60 at a time up for sale due to dead batteries. I questioned if it was Gen 1 he said 2005 2006 and 2007's. Even ones just one or two years old. I told him I thought the batteries were holding up except if you leave them sit weeks or months at a time. He said maybe that is it that they can't be recharged. He said the shop owner next store bought one and sold it a year later at a good time. I was under the impression most people love them and would buy them again. Anyone know of a high number of batteries going dead?
     
    #1 Mitchellsprius, Dec 8, 2009
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    What I'm more interested in is the auction vehicles. Can you ask your mechanic how we can get access to these auctions?

    How about a listing of those vehicles? Any on Ebay?

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Dec 8, 2009
  3. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    Yes, where are these auctions?

    In CA, the battery has a 10 year, 150,000 mile warranty, as I recall.
     
    #3 garygid, Dec 8, 2009
  4. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    If these auctions are/have been stocked with fleets of Prius', then wouldn't we have been chatting this subject up to death on these forums for several years now?

    Complete bunk if you ask me.
     
    #4 DavidA, Dec 9, 2009
  5. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Probably dead 12V batteries.
     
    #5 RobH, Dec 9, 2009
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Rubbish. People are full of false stories about Prius. On the other hand, did you know that there is a 100 mpg carburetor that you can put on your F150?

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Dec 9, 2009
  7. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    That has to be either BS or people don't know about the 8yr/100,000 mile warranty (10yr/150,000 in CA.)
     
    #7 GreenGuy33, Dec 9, 2009
  8. radioprius1

    radioprius1 Climate Conspirisist

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    Complete BS story. This is the biggest myth perpetrated about hybrids.
     
    #8 radioprius1, Dec 9, 2009
  9. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Sounds like an urban legend to me.

    Would love to know where I can buy a cheap not running Prius which just needs a new traction battery. Especially if it is under 160,000km and 8 years old, because Toyota will replace the battery under warranty.

    Please help a lot of Prius fans who don't have a lot of money, ask your mechanic to tell you where the auction house is and what the URL of their web site is. I don't know of any reasonable size auction houses without a web presence these days.
     
    #9 patsparks, Dec 9, 2009
  10. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    :rockon:You could make a fortune buying those from the junkyard.:rockon:
     
    #10 GreenGuy33, Dec 9, 2009
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Maybe it is next door to the Government vehicle auction with all those late model, low mileage, cheap Prius. You know:
    Madoff Motors Auction
    3 Dollar Way
    Bogus, CA 99666
    ​
    Bob Wilson
     
    #11 bwilson4web, Dec 9, 2009
  12. DanMode

    DanMode Brooklyn Prius Guy

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    :dance:Hahahaha. This one made my day! Thanks much! :tea:
     
    #12 DanMode, Dec 9, 2009
  13. cossie1600

    cossie1600 Active Member

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    Time for a new mechanic?
     
    #13 cossie1600, Dec 9, 2009
  14. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Well actually the address is: -
    47 Transport Avenue
    Netley, SA 5037
    Government Auctions SA
     
    #14 patsparks, Dec 9, 2009
  15. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    YES!!!:rockon:
     
    #15 GreenGuy33, Dec 9, 2009
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Actually he is -partially- correct. There are Prius appearing at auctions in groups. I've seen them in Alberta. They are rentals. They keep them for a year or two then auction them off and get new ones. A few weeks ago there were 10-15 available. A local wholesaler got three. A friend wanted one (base 2009 with 45,000 km on it), and was told he could have it for $15,000. He was slow to react, and a dealer in Calgary bought all three for $17,500 each.

    Snooze you loose!
     
    #16 David Beale, Dec 9, 2009
  17. fjpod

    fjpod Member

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    If your mechanic was correct, used Prii would not be selling at the inflated rate that they are. Ignorance is bliss.
     
    #17 fjpod, Dec 9, 2009
  18. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Your mechanic is obviously a brilliant man. Did you ask him how they charge the batteries in the first place? :madgrin:
     
    #18 dogfriend, Dec 9, 2009
  19. cossie1600

    cossie1600 Active Member

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    He will recommend an oil change on the electric motor? No plugs to charge battery?
     
    #19 cossie1600, Dec 9, 2009
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