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where to get a Prius with a DEAD hybrid battery for cheap?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by InGearX, Mar 26, 2019.

  1. InGearX

    InGearX New Member

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    so per my investigation some Preus like 2005 with a dead hybrid battery will still drive at 55 MPh or so?
    that would be OK for me :) I just drive once a month ...

    is that true? for what models? years?

    and some people were able to get them dirt cheap for like $1500?

    and put in a new battery for $1500 from electronautomotive or so :)

    is there any place I can try to find such a "dead" Prius? around North East USA - now in NYC

    I tried newyork - craigslist dor org hmmm where else to search?


    thank you!

    PS would it be legal to register it "dead" battery Prius and all in NY? and pass a NY emissions inspection?
     
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    A Prius cannot drive with a dead traction battery whoever told you that knows nothing. A Honda can however. To find a cheap one your gonna have to look around like everyone that finds cheap ones does.

    Also the fact you can’t even spell the cars name right leads me to believe you should get some other type of car. Something simple, non hybrid, like a Corrola.
     
    #2 Skibob, Mar 26, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2019
  3. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    If the battery is going its not a pleasant experience. After a few minutes it goes into limp mode, which takes away your ac and power steering. Not to mention every warning light full blast on the dash.

    If you want to get a cheap car you can always get an auction car but they usually have 3 or 4 major problems that cost more than the car is worth to fix, which is why they're at the auction.

    Craigslist is your best bet if you expand the search to surrounding areas and be prepared to look hard.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    auto auction

    you'll never pass admissions
     
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  5. InGearX

    InGearX New Member

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    thanks...
    this guy shows how he is able to drive it

    what do you think about that?
     
  6. InGearX

    InGearX New Member

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    ooops typo
    how do I edit my original post?
    thank you
     
  7. InGearX

    InGearX New Member

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    please don't be so harsh
    that's not a moto of a Prius owner ;)
     
  8. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I think your an idiot who knows nothing about cars. So now what?
     
  9. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I don’t think you know anything about a Prius owner. You are without a doubt someone who should never own a Prius. See how I spelled the cars name? Take note my friend.
     
    #9 Skibob, Mar 27, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
  10. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    That would be Corolla, not Corrola.:D
     
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  11. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    And I used to own one. Go figure. :cool:
     
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  12. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    A Prius is a computer with wheels. It monitors and logs everything. When the traction battery is dying, it will illuminate some idiot lights and tell you "I am wounded!".

    The car will drive between normally and limp mode. And then the fun bit, at any point it can go to anywhere in that scale. But if you clear the codes, the light goes away. The car has amnesia and thinks all is well. And drives normally yay!

    You as the human know that the car is wounded and you just propped it up. If you then continue to ignore the car will eventually realize it is still wounded and throw codes. You can play this game usually for a while, like months or even a year or so. But every time the car tells you something's wrong, it is worse than it was the time before.

    And eventually fire and brimstone erupts from under your rear passenger bench. Literal fire, metaphorical brimstone.

    78820_Prius_Battery_Damage.jpg
    The car tried to tell you. You ignored it.
     
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  13. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    Im looking for the answser to this question too. I have 3 hybrid packs and i want a cheap gen 2 , where should i loook? just craigslist?
     
  14. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Auctions are always cheapest. Worth reading up on them, because it isn't like a retail store. Helps to know a few things going in. There are plenty of books, websites and youtubes with that info.

    Good luck!
     
  15. highmilesgarage

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    Facebook marketplace, good deals don't last. It's usually first dibs and depends on the seller. Nobody uses craigslist nowadays.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the prius engine is called an engine?

    this dude doesn't have a clue what a dead battery means.

    this is the scary thing about the internet
     
  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A thread with, like, a dozen contributors using their own different meanings of 'dead'.

    A Prius whose hybrid battery is all dead isn't going anywhere. It won't even start, because that battery is used to crank the engine. The only thing to do with it is look under the seats for loose change.

    A Prius whose battery is just mostly dead can be driven around some, as was seen in that video. If you keep making it forget there's a problem, you can drive it more aggressively, until it realizes again there's a problem and goes back to limping, which will happen more and more often. Eventually you can make it go bang and smell bad, as seen in the photo in #12.

    The things the guy in the video suggests for testing (like a fast forced charge with the brake and go pedal floored, and then "stomp it to 60") are excellent ways to hasten the bang and bad smells.