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Bad, bad Luck

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Colin Smith, Jun 1, 2014.

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  1. Colin Smith

    Colin Smith New Member

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    My best friend had a Gen 2 Prius with over 125K miles. Hybrid battery died. They had it towed to our local dealer, Jim Norton Toyota, who gave them $2000 for it, as is, for a 2013 IV Prius with 9500 miles. Car Fax was clean. That evening the new car died completely and wouldn't jump. It was completely dead. They had it towed to the dealer who told them it was the computer, and that they would have to order one and it would take a week. Has anyone heard of a failure that quickly? I would think their old hybrid battery failure was unusual, but a 2013 with a complete main computer failure? My 2010 Prius has 32K miles and has never given us any trouble. In Oklahoma our lemon laws do not cover used cars. The dealer does not want to negate the deal. I would be very disappointed if they have to settle for a car with a rebuilt computer. I suggested to them that they offer to buy a new 2014 (there are some nice incentives available) if the dealer will cancel the other deal. This has shaken my faith in the Toyota Prius. Anyone have any thoughts?
     
    #1 Colin Smith, Jun 1, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    $2000? Talk about a stealer, they stole the car from you.

    I hope you are not in a carb state, then that car would still be under warranty and the battery repair would have been free
    SM-N900P ?
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 1, 2014
  3. Colin Smith

    Colin Smith New Member

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    What is a carb state? This was not my deal, it was my friend's. Did you read the whole post?
     
    #3 Colin Smith, Jun 1, 2014
  4. KhaPhoRa

    KhaPhoRa Member

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    Wow I would have given him double and still felt guilty I took it for so cheap.. Oklahoma isn't a CARB state so it was out of warranty..
     
    #4 KhaPhoRa, Jun 1, 2014
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Oklahoma is not a carb state. Yes I read your post, just gasped at the $2000 price.

    The 2013 is under warranty and all repairs will be free. Just ask for a free rental during the wait time. The computer probably failed during the recall update, some had experienced this. But surely the dealer should be able to let you out of that contract and get you into something else, possibly a new car. They don't want to negate the sale and return your car that they stole

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #5 JC91006, Jun 1, 2014
  6. KhaPhoRa

    KhaPhoRa Member

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    As far as the failure, it's unfortunate and it's rare.. So is winning the lottery and I always see people holding big checks on the news... I'm assuming the cost is fully covered for the repair? As for backing out, they aren't likely to do that but if they want to try going the "I promise I'll buy a new car" route it may work..
     
    #6 KhaPhoRa, Jun 1, 2014
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I updated my post above

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #7 JC91006, Jun 1, 2014
  8. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    #8 StarCaller, Jun 1, 2014
  9. Colin Smith

    Colin Smith New Member

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    OK I know what a carb state is now. Last night was late and my brain was asleep. My friend's 2013 with the dead computer is still under factory warranty, so the repair will be free, but I still hope the dealer will let him back out if he buys a new one. They are meeting with the dealer today and I will let you know how it goes. As for me, I still love our 2010 Prius. I am glad this is rare. I don't believe the Prius could get the high customer satisfaction rating and reliability at Consumer Reports if this were a common occurrence. I gasped at the trade in value also. The dealer will need to put $4500 into it and will have a car they can sell for a profit.
     
    #9 Colin Smith, Jun 2, 2014
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The dealer will not have to put the retail price plus labor, $4500 into the car. That's just the price they quote you to scare you away from your car so they can buy it cheap. The battery can be purchased by the dealer for less than $2000.

    Anyways, your friend should pursue a new purchase if possible. This exact scenario played out a few months ago with another member. They were allowed to negate the used purchase and purchase NEW.
     
    #10 JC91006, Jun 2, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2014
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    If anything, it should shake your faith in that dealer.
     
    #11 SageBrush, Jun 2, 2014
  12. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

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    I thought CARB stood for "California Air Resource Board"?
     
    #12 Gas Mizer, Jun 2, 2014
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    you are correct
     
    #13 JC91006, Jun 2, 2014
  14. Gas Mizer

    Gas Mizer Member

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    I'm assuming then, that other states have adopted their standards?
     
    #14 Gas Mizer, Jun 2, 2014
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes you are correct on that too. Here's a thread on the current CARB states

    The 2014 list of CARB States in the US | PriusChat
     
    #15 JC91006, Jun 2, 2014
  16. Colin Smith

    Colin Smith New Member

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    Well darn, I didn't know what Carb stood for after all. Update, they wouldn't let him out of the deal. All the registration had already been recorded and it is now his car. The replacement main computer part will be in, in a week. Just have to hope the repaired 2013 with 9500 miles will be a good one after that. Probably will.
     
    #16 Colin Smith, Jun 2, 2014
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Maybe you can press them for a "goodwill" discount. Reduce the car by $1000, since it's damaged.....and they are going to make a boatload of money off the trade.
     
    #17 JC91006, Jun 2, 2014
  18. roamerr

    roamerr Member

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    I doubt the gen 2 battery was really bad. Either way a smart dealer could have someone replace cells or just install a good used battery for under $600. That dealer is likely very crooked.


    iPhone ?
     
    #18 roamerr, Jun 4, 2014
  19. Colin Smith

    Colin Smith New Member

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    That dealer has a very good reputation. I have bought Toyota's from them for years. They made very few mistakes and I never felt cheated. If they said the Gen2 battery was toast, then I believe it. The estimate of $4500 included other work that needed to be done, plus new tires and brakes. I agree that the trade allowance was too low, but that doesn't make them "crooked".
     
    #19 Colin Smith, Jun 4, 2014
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think we should have a section in the forums for people that are planning to trade in their cars. Let the members have a shot at buying them at the low prices the buyers are willing to accept. A no hassle, "this is what the dealer quoted, take it or leave it" approach. :)
     
    #20 JC91006, Jun 4, 2014
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