2007 Prius base, 62K miles P0A80, P3016, C1259, C1310

While I empathize with the frustrations with needing a new battery so soon, I’ve read that nobody can accurately predict the future lifespan of a traction battery over 10 years old. And I haven’t seen reputable extended warranties that cover the traction battery and the related hybrid components.

One can still have an independent party test the current state before purchasing, but I think many buyers skip that process. My personal belief is that many people sell their Prius when they sense the traction battery nearing the end of its life. So there’s always a buyer beware element with a 10+ year old Prius with its original battery on the market.

I’m learning from GK’s experience and it’ll make me a more savvy buyer in the future. I hope this thread continues to be updated.

 

I guess if you make enough noise to the right person, things get done!

 

i wish we had a dealership like that around here.

 

Were you able to determine the amount of money the dealer made off you from the trade in of the PO and warranty purchase? Was it more than the cost of the battery they are covering?

 

Trade in value was probably around $4.5k-$5k, as per kbb estimates in SA.

GK, that's great news about the traction battery. I'd definitely put this car in an excellent deal category with a new OEM battery (get the warranty in writing and verify that it's not a rebuilt battery). You'll be able to drive this car for a long time or sell it for a small profit.

 

Oh yes, make sure they give you a new battery and not just a module swap to keep you quiet

 

Nothing has jerked my chain, it's the response to what the other member mentioned about fixing your battery and not giving you a new one. If you've been here long enough, you'll read about this stuff happening and it's just watching out for your interest.

You can read other comments by other posters, your dealer seems to have handled this situation much different than what seems to be normal. Maybe you had some leverage on them and they caved in. But nobody knows what you said to them to make them accommodate you. Maybe this dealer has morals....who knows.

 

which part was directed at you? The part that said to keep you quiet? I already mentioned you made more noise and you got the result you wanted. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I don't think that's a false comment.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the technique in which you've gone to get what you got from the dealer. It's just not something that happens very often. The detective work you did in getting down to all the facts worked in your favor. The dealer is still running a business, giving you a "fixed" battery would help their bottom line and you probably won't know any better if nobody mentioned it can happen.

They took in 2 key fobs and gave you only 1. Do you think this is the only thing that happens at dealers?

 

Always wondered where all those used key fobs come from on fleeBay.

If you have been here for a while you will get to know that JC has a healthy dose of scepticism, and flavours his responses. It may come across as personal, but you should not take offence at anything he has said. I am sure of this, he is not aiming anything at you personally. I wish I could say the same of other members who post here.

Before this takes off, people should just take a breath.

 

I didn't know they were giving you a 12v battery on top of a new HV battery. I guess you struck the jackpot as they aren't even related and shouldn't fail together at the same time, but they are taking responsibility for it (probably cause you bought the extended warranty)

Who is Sterling McCall? Normally the dealership's own service dept will install both batteries.

It doesn't really matter what transpired in this transaction. Someone is on the losing end of the stick. I guess as long as it's not you, the guy buying a 11 year old hybrid. Why the heck do you think the PO got rid of it? So some lucky person can continue driving it for years and years trouble free?

What I'm saying in a really bad way is you have to take the blame on some of this happening. An 11 year old hybrid for your daughter might not have been the best choice and they will break down mechanically at some point.

 

Whatever you did in this transaction got their attention. Maybe others can learn from what you did and get the dealer to own up to their promises when selling a used car.

Are you a lawyer? Someone really important? This is definitely a first to hear of a big dealership's owner to call a customer to address their concerns. They've gone above and beyond here, a refreshing change to the dealership stereotype.

 

Yes I think you are right with "someone always has to be the loser" in a transaction where something goes wrong. Even in this transaction, someone had to lose out. In the spirit of good business and great customer service for potential future business, you ended up with the long side of the stick.

Many good businesses practice this great customer service. It's just very uncommon for a car dealership to be doing such moral practices.

 

It must be a little different in TX, as I'm not used to reading about people buying cars and the new owner searches out the PO to have lunch with them. Here where I grew up, in California, people probably are not as friendly. Maybe it's my age and what I've experienced that has given my unique view on life.

I'm not here on this forum to knock anybody. It's a community where people give advice to people asking for advice. If you would've come here before buying the car and asked " is it wise to buy an 11 year old Prius for my daughter", chances are you would get many responses about avoiding such a purchase unless you're prepared to buy a new battery in the near future.

The important thing here is you got yourself a nice car, with low miles, and now 2 brand new batteries. Unless something really unfortunate happens, this car should be able to last you another 10 years with minimum maintenance and repairs.